Antibodies to MDC proteins

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an antibody encoded by a gene which is present in a commonly deleted region of a chromosome in breast and ovarian cancers. A monoclonal antibody was prepared by using the protein as antigen and can be utilized in clinical fields for diagnosing cancer.

This is a division of Ser. No. 08/243,542, filed May 13, 1994.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to anti-MDC protein antibodies DNAs encoding the same, and gene analysis methods. These antibodies can be utilized in diagnosis.

2. Description of the Related Art

The opinion that mutations in cellular proteins play an important role in the onset of cancer has been known for long. Recent advancement in genetic engineering enables analysis of gene mutations in tumor cells, and has brought about a marked progress in the field of cancer research.

Up to this time, the analysis and identification of oncogenes have made such progress that the number thereof has amounted to several score. On the other hand, attention has been focused on tumor suppressor genes for these several years. The tumor suppressor genes which have been discovered thus far include the Rb gene for retinoblastoma (Friend, S. H. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 84, 9095, 1987), the p53 gene (Lane, D. P. et al., Nature, 278,261, 1979) and the APC gene (Kenneth, W. K. et al., Science, 253, 661, 1991) for colorectal tumor, the WT1 gene for Wilms' tumor (Call, K. M. et al., Cell, 60, 509, 1990), and the like. In the case of the p53 gene, some families are known to inherit mutations in the gene ["Li-Fraumeni syndrome" (Makin, D. et al., Science, 250, 1233, 1990; Srivastava, S. et al., Nature, 348, 747, 1990)]. Moreover, it is becoming increasingly clear that defects in multiple genes, and not in a single gene, contribute to the progression of the malignant phenotype of cancer, and it is believed that there exist many more unidentified oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. The discovery and elucidation of them are expected by not only investigators and clinicians, but also common people all over the world.

Breast cancer is classified into hereditary (familial) breast cancer and nonhereditary (sporadic) breast cancer, and hereditary breast cancer is classified into early-onset and late-onset diseases according to the age of onset. It has been revealed by linkage analyses that, at least early-onset familial breast cancer is linked to a very small region on chromosome 17 (Hall, J. M. et al., Science, 250, 1684-1689, 1990). Moreover, it has been shown that hereditary ovarian cancer is also linked to the same region (Narod, S. A. et al., Lancet, 338, 82-83, 1991).

Accordingly, it is believed that a tumor suppressor gene is present in this region and protein deficiency or mutation induced by an allelic deletion or mutation of the gene is one of the causes of breast and ovarian cancers.

It is believed that in the onset of common (sporadic) breast cancer as well, the occurence of an acquired mutation or allelic deletion of the gene in this region results in protein mutation or deficiency and this causes the transformation of a normal cell to a breast cancer cell (Sato et al., Cancer Res., 51, 5794-5799, 1991). Consequently, isolation of the causative gene present in this region and identification of the protein encoded by the gene are urgent problems to not only physicians and investigators all over the world, but also to common people, particularly women in Europe and America where there are numerous patients with breast cancer.

The present invention provides novel proteins involved in breast and ovarian cancers, DNAs encoding them, and methods for the testing and diagnosis of cancer by using them.

The present inventors disclose a novel gene encoding a 524-amino acid protein which was isolated from chromosomal region 17q21.3 where a tumor suppressor gene(s) for breast and ovarian cancers is thought to be present (Nature genetics, 5,151-157, 1993; this paper is refered in Nature genetics, 5, No. 2, 101-102, 1993).

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the positions on chromosome 17 to which 342 cosmid clones hybridize. Clone names are designated by clone numbers alone.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing partial deletions on chromosome 17q in ovarian cancers. Solid circles represent the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and open circles represent the retention of both alleles. Two commonly deleted regions are designated by sidelines.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing partial deletions on chromosome 17q in breast cancers. Solid circles represent the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and open circles represent the retention of both alleles. Two commonly deleted regions are designated by sidelines.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the process starting with markers on chromosome 17q21.3 and leading to the isolation of the gene, as well as the regions where genomic rearrangements occurred in tumor tissues (hatched boxes). Clone names are designated by clone numbers alone.

FIGS. 5(a), 5(b), 6 and 7 are diagrams showing the detection of genomic rearrangements in breast cancers by Southern-blot analysis. Symbols N and T represent DNAs from normal tissue and tumor tissue, respectively.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing a working curve for determining the concentration of the MDC protein by ELISA using a monoclonal antibody and a rabbit polyclonal antibody.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present inventors constructed a multitude of cosmid clones having DNA fragments of human chromosome 17 introduced thereinto. Then, each of the multitude of cosmid clones was localized throughout the chromosome by fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH; Inazawa et al., Genomics, 10, 1075-1078, 1991). The cosmid clones (cosmid markers), localized on the chromosome, enabled construction of a high-resolution physical map of human chromosome 17. The clone names of the cosmids as probes, i.e., the probe names, their detailed map positions and diagrammatical summary of the mapping are shown in Tables 1-3 and FIG. 1, respectively. In FIG. 1, clone names are designated by clone numbers alone.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________        Probe Locus                                                                               Chromosonal                                                                              Probe Locus                                                                               Chromosomal                                 No.                                                                               name  symbol                                                                              localization                                                                          No.                                                                               name  symbol                                                                              localization                                __________________________________________________________________________     1  CCI17-1    17q21.1                                                                               67 cCI17-501  17q21.3                                     2  cCI17-7    17q22  68 cCI17-502  17p11.2                                     3  cCI17-11   17p11.2                                                                               69 cCI17-504  17q24                                       4  cCI17-24   17q21.1-q21.2                                                                         70 cCI17-505                                                                            D17S544                                                                             17p12-p11.1                                 5  cCI17-25   17q12  71 cCI17-506                                                                            D17S545                                                                             17q21                                       6  cCI17-28   17q21.3                                                                               72 cCI17-507  17q21.3                                     7  cCI17-32   17q11.2                                                                               73 cCI17-508                                                                            D17S546                                                                             17q25.1-q25.3                               8  cCI17-35   17q21.3                                                                               74 cCI17-509  17q24                                       9  cCI17-41   17q23.1                                                                               75 cCI17-510  17q23                                       10 cCI17-50   17q23.1                                                                               76 cCI17-511  17q25.1-q25.2                               11 cCI17-57   17q21  77 cCI17-513                                                                            D17S548                                                                             17q11.2                                     12 cCI17-63   17q21.3                                                                               78 cCI17-514  17q25.1                                     13 cCI17-90   17q12-q21.1                                                                           79 cCI17-515  17q22                                       14 cCI17-95   17q23.1                                                                               80 cCI17-516                                                                            D12S550                                                                             17q25.1                                     15 cCI17-96   17q21.3                                                                               81 cCI17-517  17q21.3                                     16 cCI17-97   17q21.3                                                                               82 cCI17-518  17q25.3                                     17 cCI17-315                                                                            D17S521                                                                             17q25.1-q25.2                                                                         83 cCI17-519                                                                            D17S551                                                                             17q25.2-q25.3                               18 cCI17-316  17q12-q21.1                                                                           84 cCI17-520  17q11.2                                     19 cCI17-317  17q11.2                                                                               85 cCI17-521  17q25.1-q25.2                               20 cCI17-321  Centromere                                                                            86 cCI17-523  17q22                                       21 cCI17-403  17q21.2-q21.3                                                                         87 cCI17-524  17q21.1-q21.2                               22 cCI17-412  17q11.2                                                                               88 cCI17-525  17p13.1                                     23 cCI17-415  17q21.1-q21.2                                                                         89 cCI17-526  17q11.2-q1                                  24 cCI17-422  17q22  90 cCI17-527  17q21.3                                     25 cCI17-425  17q11.2                                                                               91 cCI17-528  17q27                                       26 cCI17-428  17q23.1                                                                               92 cCI17-529                                                                            D17S552                                                                             17q25.1-q25.2                               27 cCI17-451  17q21.1-q21.2                                                                         93 cCI17-530  17q23                                       28 cCI17-452                                                                            D17S524                                                                             17q25  94 cCI17-532  17p11.2                                     29 cCI17-453                                                                            D17S525                                                                             17p13  95 cCI17-533  17q21.3                                     30 cCI17-454                                                                            D17S526                                                                             17q23  96 cCI17-535  17q12-q21.1                                 31 cCI17-451                                                                            D17S527                                                                             17q23.1-q23.2                                                                         97 cCI17-536  17p11.2                                     32 cCI17-457  17q11.2                                                                               98 cCI17-539  17q21.3                                     33 cCI17-453                                                                            D17S528                                                                             17q21.1-q21.2                                                                         99 cCI17-540  17q25                                       34 cCI17-460                                                                            D17S529                                                                             17q11.2                                                                               100                                                                               cCI17-541  17q21.3                                     35 cCI17-462  17q23  101                                                                               cCI17-542  17q21.3                                     36 cCI17-463  17q21  102                                                                               cCI17-543  17q11.2-q12                                 37 cCI17-464  17q24.3-q25.1                                                                         103                                                                               cCI17-544  17q25.1                                     38 cCI17-465                                                                            D17S531                                                                             17q25.1-q25.2                                                                         104                                                                               cCI17-545  17q25.1                                     39 cCI17-466  17q25.1-q25.2                                                                         105                                                                               cCI17-546  17q24.3-q25.1                               40 cCI17-467  17q25  106                                                                               cCI17-547  17q21.3                                     41 cCI17-468                                                                            DI7S532                                                                             17q11.2                                                                               107                                                                               cCI17-548  17q23                                       42 cCI17-469                                                                            D17S533                                                                             17q25.2-q25.3                                                                         108                                                                               cCI17-549  17q25.3                                     43 cC1I7-471  17p13.3-p13.2                                                                         109                                                                               cCI17-550  17q23                                       44 cCI17-473                                                                            D17S534                                                                             17q11.2                                                                               110                                                                               cCI17-551  17q25.1-q25.2                               45 cCI17-475                                                                            D17S535                                                                             17q11.2                                                                               111                                                                               cCI17-552  17q12                                       46 cCI17-477  17q21.3                                                                               112                                                                               cCI17-553  17q23                                       47 cCI17-479  17q21.3                                                                               113                                                                               cCI17-554  17q25.1                                     48 cCI17-480  17q25.1-q25.2                                                                         114                                                                               cCI17-557  17q25.1-q25.2                               49 cCI17-482                                                                            D17S536                                                                             17q11.2                                                                               115                                                                               cCI17-559  17q24.3-q25.1                               50 cCI17-483  17p13  116                                                                               cCI17-560  17q25.1-q25.2                               51 cCI17-484                                                                            D17S537                                                                             17p13.1                                                                               117                                                                               cCI17-561  17q25                                       52 cCI17-485  17q12  118                                                                               cCI17-562  17q11.2                                     53 cCI17-486  17q25.1                                                                               119                                                                               cCI17-563  17q25.1                                     54 cCI17-487                                                                            D17S538                                                                             17q25.1                                                                               120                                                                               cCI17-564  17q25.1                                     55 cCI17-488                                                                            D17S539                                                                             17p13.2-p13.1                                                                         121                                                                               cCI17-565  17q23                                       56 cCI17-489                                                                            D17S540                                                                             17q23  122                                                                               cCI17-567  17q21.3                                     57 cCI17-490  17q11.2                                                                               123                                                                               cCI17-568  17q25                                       58 cCI17-491  17p13.1                                                                               124                                                                               cCI17-569  17q12                                       59 cCI17-492                                                                            D17S542                                                                             17q11.2                                                                               125                                                                               cCI17-570  17q11.1                                     60 cCI17-493  17q25.1-q25.2                                                                         126                                                                               cCI17-571  17q13                                       61 cCI17-494  17q22  127                                                                               cCI17-572  17q25.1                                     62 cCI17-495  17q25  128                                                                               cCI17-573  17q25.3                                     63 cCI17-497  17q11.2                                                                               129                                                                               cC1I7-574  17q12-q21.2                                 64 cCI17-498  17p11.2                                                                               130                                                                               cCI17-576  17q21.1-q21.2                               65 cCI17-499  17q21.1-q21.2                                                                         131                                                                               cCI17-577  17q25.1                                     66 cCI17-500  17p-12 132                                                                               cCI17-578  17q11.2-q12                                 __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________        Probe Locus                                                                               Chromosomal                                                                              Probe Locus                                                                               Chromosomal                                 No.                                                                               name  symbol                                                                              Localization                                                                          No.                                                                               name  symbol                                                                              localization                                __________________________________________________________________________     133                                                                               cCI17-579  17q25.1                                                                               198                                                                               cCI17-652  17q22                                       134                                                                               cCI17-581  17q11.2                                                                               199                                                                               cCI17-653  17q22                                       135                                                                               cCI17-582  17q21.3                                                                               200                                                                               cCI17-654  17p13                                       136                                                                               cCI17-583  17q12-q21.1                                                                           201                                                                               cCI17-655  17q23                                       137                                                                               cCI17-584  17q21.3                                                                               202                                                                               cCI17-656  17q25.1                                     138                                                                               cCI17-586  17p13  203                                                                               cCI17-657  17p13                                       139                                                                               cCI17-587  17p13  204                                                                               cCI17-658  17q21.3                                     140                                                                               cCI17-588  17p13.1                                                                               205                                                                               cCI17-659  17q25.1                                     141                                                                               cCI17-590  17q12  206                                                                               cCI17-660  17q25.1                                     142                                                                               cCI17-591  17q24  207                                                                               cCI17-662  17p12                                       143                                                                               cCI17-592  17q21.3                                                                               208                                                                               cCI17-663  17q25.1                                     144                                                                               cCI17-593  17q25.1-q25.2                                                                         209                                                                               cCI17-664  17q25.1-q25.2                               145                                                                               cCI17-594  17q25.2-q25.3                                                                         210                                                                               cCI17-665  17q23                                       146                                                                               cCI17-595  17q25.1-q25.2                                                                         211                                                                               cCI17-666  11q23.1                                     147                                                                               cCI17-596  17q11.2                                                                               212                                                                               cCI17-667  17q24                                       148                                                                               cCI17-597  17q25.3                                                                               213                                                                               cCI17-668  17q22                                       149                                                                               cCI17-598  17q12-q21.1                                                                           214                                                                               cCI17-669  17p13                                       150                                                                               cCI17-599  17q12  215                                                                               cCI17-670  17q21.3                                     151                                                                               cCI17-600  17q23  216                                                                               cCI17-671  17q11.2                                     152                                                                               cCI17-601  17q21.1-q21.2                                                                         217                                                                               cCI17-672  17q25.1-q25.2                               153                                                                               cCI17-602  17q11.2-q12                                                                           218                                                                               cCI17-673  17q12-q21.1                                 154                                                                               cCI17-603  17p11.2                                                                               219                                                                               cCI17-674  17q21.3                                     155                                                                               cCI17-604  17q23  220                                                                               cCI17-675  17q21.3                                     156                                                                               cCI17-605  17q21.1-q21.2                                                                         221                                                                               cCI17-676  17q23                                       157                                                                               cCI17-606  17p13  222                                                                               cCI17-677  17q12-q21.1                                 158                                                                               cCI17-607  17q25  223                                                                               cCI17-678  17q23                                       159                                                                               cCI17-608  17p11.2                                                                               224                                                                               cCI17-679  17q23.1                                     160                                                                               cCI17-609  17q21.3                                                                               225                                                                               cCI17-680  17p13                                       161                                                                               cCI17-610  17q12-q21.1                                                                           226                                                                               cCI17-681  17p11.1-P11.2                               162                                                                               cCI17-611  17q22  227                                                                               cCI17-683  17q11.2                                     163                                                                               cCI17-612  17q21.3                                                                               228                                                                               cCI17-684  17q25.1-q25.2                               164                                                                               cCI17-613  17q25.1                                                                               229                                                                               cCI17-685  17p13                                       165                                                                               cCI17-614  17q21.3                                                                               230                                                                               cCI17-687  17q12                                       166                                                                               cCI17-615  17q21.1                                                                               231                                                                               cCI17-689  17p11.2                                     167                                                                               cCI17-616  17q25.1                                                                               232                                                                               cCI17-690  17q11.2-q12                                 168                                                                               cCI17-617  17q21.3                                                                               233                                                                               cCI17-691  17q25.1                                     169                                                                               cCI17-618  17q23.1                                                                               234                                                                               cCI17-692  17q23                                       170                                                                               cCI17-619  17q11.3                                                                               235                                                                               cCI17-693  17P11.2                                     171                                                                               cCI17-621  17q25.1-q25.2                                                                         236                                                                               cCI17-694  17P11.2                                     172                                                                               cCI17-622  17q12  237                                                                               cCI17-695  17p11.2                                     173                                                                               cCI17-623  17q25.1-q25.2                                                                         238                                                                               cCI17-696  17q23.3                                     174                                                                               cCI17-624  17p13  239                                                                               cCI17-697  17q25                                       175                                                                               cCI17-625  17q23  240                                                                               cCI17-698  17q11.2                                     176                                                                               cCI17-626  17q23  241                                                                               cCI17-699  17q23                                       177                                                                               cCI17-627  17p13  242                                                                               cCI17-700  17q23                                       178                                                                               cCI17-628  17q23  243                                                                               cCI17-701  17q21.3                                     179                                                                               cCI17-630  17q11.2                                                                               244                                                                               cCI17-702  17q25.2-q25.3                               180                                                                               cCI17-631  17p11.2                                                                               245                                                                               cCI17-703  17p13                                       181                                                                               cCI17-622  17q22  246                                                                               cCI17-704  17q23                                       182                                                                               cCI17-633  17q12  247                                                                               cCI17-705                                                                            D17S554                                                                             17p11.2                                     183                                                                               cCI17-634  17q21.3                                                                               248                                                                               cCI17-706                                                                            D17S555                                                                             17q12                                       184                                                                               cCI17-636  17p13  249                                                                               cCI17-707                                                                            D17S556                                                                             17q25.1-q25.2                               185                                                                               cCI17-637  17q12  250                                                                               cCI17-708  17p13                                       186                                                                               cCI17-638  17p11.2                                                                               251                                                                               cCI17-709  17p12                                       187                                                                               cCI17-639  17q12  252                                                                               cCI17-710                                                                            D17S557                                                                             L7q25.3                                     188                                                                               cCI17-640  17q11.1                                                                               953                                                                               cCI17-711  17q32.1                                     189                                                                               cCI17-641  17q25.1                                                                               254                                                                               cCI17-712                                                                            D17S558                                                                             17p11.2                                     190                                                                               cCI17-642  17q12-q21.1                                                                           255                                                                               cCI17-713                                                                            D17S559                                                                             17p13                                       191                                                                               cCI17-643  17q21.3                                                                               256                                                                               cCI17-714                                                                            D17S560                                                                             17q25.3                                     192                                                                               cCI17-644  17q23  257                                                                               cCI17-715  17q21.3                                     193                                                                               cCI17-645  17p13  258                                                                               cCI17-716                                                                            D17S561                                                                             17p13                                       194                                                                               cCI17-646  17p13  259                                                                               cCI17-717  17p13                                       195                                                                               cCI17-647  17q25.1-q25.2                                                                         260                                                                               cCI17-719  17q25                                       196                                                                               cCI17-650  17q12  261                                                                               cCI17-721  17q23                                       197                                                                               cCI17-651  17q25.1                                                                               262                                                                               cCI17-729                                                                            D17S563                                                                             17q25.2-q25.3                               __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________        Probe Locus                                                                               Chromosomal                                                                              Probe Locus                                                                               Chromosomal                                 No.                                                                               name  symbol                                                                              localization                                                                          No.                                                                               name  symbol                                                                              localization                                __________________________________________________________________________     263                                                                               cCI17-723  17p13  304                                                                               cCI17-834  17q11.2-q12                                 264                                                                               cCI17-724                                                                            D17S564                                                                             17p11.2                                                                               305                                                                               cCI17-835  17q21.3                                     265                                                                               cCI17-726  17q25  306                                                                               cCI17-841  17p12                                       266                                                                               cCI17-727                                                                            D17S566                                                                             17p13  307                                                                               cCI17-1005 17q21.3                                     267                                                                               cCI17-728                                                                            D17S567                                                                             17p12  308                                                                               cCI17-1008 17q21.3                                     268                                                                               cCI17-729                                                                            D17S568                                                                             17q11.2                                                                               309                                                                               cCI17-1016 17q23.1                                     269                                                                               cCI17-730  17q21.3                                                                               310                                                                               cCI17-1018 17q21.2-21.3                                270                                                                               cCI17-732                                                                            D17S570                                                                             17p13.2                                                                               311                                                                               cCI17-1019 17q23.1                                     271                                                                               cCI17-733  17q25.1                                                                               312                                                                               cCI17-1024 17q12                                       272                                                                               cCI17-735                                                                            D17S572                                                                             17q25.3                                                                               313                                                                               cCI17-1029 17q11.2                                     273                                                                               cCI17-736                                                                            D17S573                                                                             17q21.3                                                                               314                                                                               cCI17-1030 17q22                                       274                                                                               cCI17-737                                                                            D17S557                                                                             17q25.2-q25.3                                                                         315                                                                               cCI17-1031 17q11.2                                     275                                                                               cCI17-739                                                                            D17S575                                                                             17q25.1                                                                               316                                                                               cCI17-1032 17q23.1-23.2                                276                                                                               cCI17-741  17q25.3                                                                               317                                                                               cCI17-1049 17q21.3                                     277                                                                               cCI17-742  17q25  318                                                                               cCI17-1055 17q21.3                                     278                                                                               cCI17-743  17q23.3                                                                               319                                                                               cCI17-1059 17q21.1-q21.2                               279                                                                               cCI17-744  17q23  320                                                                               cCI17-1063 17q12                                       280                                                                               cCI17-745                                                                            D17S577                                                                             17p13  321                                                                               cCI17-1073 17q11.2                                     281                                                                               cCI17-801  17q11.2-q12                                                                           322                                                                               cCI17-1079 17q12                                       282                                                                               cCI17-802  17p11.2                                                                               323                                                                               cCI17-1082 17q22                                       283                                                                               cCI17-808  17q25.1-q25.2                                                                         324                                                                               cCI17-1094 17q21.1                                     284                                                                               cC117-809  17q23  325                                                                               cCI17-1101 17q12                                       285                                                                               cCI17-810  17p13.2-p13.1                                                                         326                                                                               cCI17-1103 17q11.2                                     286                                                                               cCI17-812  17q25.1                                                                               327                                                                               cCI17-1106 17q11.2                                     287                                                                               cCI17-813  17q23  328                                                                               cCI17-1702 17q21.1-q21.2                               288                                                                               cCI17-814  17p11.2                                                                               329                                                                               cCI17-1705 17q21.2-q21.3                               289                                                                               cCI17-815  17q24  330                                                                               cCI17-1706 17q21.1-q21.2                               290                                                                               cCI17-816  17q23  331                                                                               cCI17-1707 17q21.2-q21.3                               291                                                                               cCI17-817  17q23  332                                                                               cCI17-1709 17q12                                       292                                                                               cCI17-818  17p11.2                                                                               333                                                                               cCI17-1710 17q21.3                                     293                                                                               cCI17-820  17q12  334                                                                               cCI17-1711 17q12                                       294                                                                               cCI17-821  17p13  335                                                                               cCI17-1715 17q12                                       295                                                                               cCI17-822  17q11.1                                                                               336                                                                               cCI17-1717 17q21.3                                     296                                                                               cCI17-823  17q12  337                                                                               cCI17-1719 17q11.2                                     297                                                                               cCI17-825  17p11.2                                                                               338                                                                               cCI17-1720 17q24.3-q25.1                               298                                                                               cCI17-826  17q11.2                                                                               339                                                                               cCI17-1722 17q23                                       299                                                                               cCI17-827  17p11.2                                                                               340                                                                               cCI17-1723 17q21.3                                     300                                                                               cCI17-828  17p11.2                                                                               341                                                                               cCI17-1724 17q11.2                                     301                                                                               cCI17-831  17q25.1-q25.2                                                                         342                                                                               cCI17-1725 17q21.1                                     302                                                                               cCI17-832  17p11.2                                                                               343                                                                               pCMM86     17q23                                       303                                                                               cCI17-833  17q23                                                            __________________________________________________________________________

From among these markers, ones exhibiting restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in which the lengths of restriction fragments vary with the individual, namely RFLP markers, were selected. The selected marker clones, the restriction enzymes used, and the particular lengths of several fragments detected thereby are shown in Tables 4-6.

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________        Probe Locus         Allele size                                                                               Chromosomal                                  No.                                                                               name  symbol                                                                               Enzyme  (frequency)                                                                               locatization                                 __________________________________________________________________________     2  cCI17-7                                                                              D17S860                                                                              PvuII   3.0 kb(0.33)                                                                   1.8 + 1.2 kb(0.67)                                      16 cCI17-97                                                                             D17S861                                                                              PstI    8.2 kb(0.92)                                                                              17q21.3                                                             4.7 + 3.5 kb(0.08)                                      17 cCI17-315                                                                            D17S521                                                                              TaqI    2.0 kb(0.67)                                                                              17q25.1-q25.2                                                       1.8 kb(0.33)                                            18 cCI17-316                                                                            D17S862                                                                              MspI    3.1 kb(0.33)                                                                              17q12-q21.1                                                         2.7 kb(0.67)                                            19 cCI17-317                                                                            D17S522                                                                              TaqI 2.6.3.9 kb 4 alleles VNTR,60%                                                                17q11.2                                                     heterozygosity also polymorphic with                                           MspI,PstI,PvuII                                                 29 cCI17-453                                                                            D17S525                                                                              BglII 5.8-7.5 kb 4 alleles VNTR,50%                                                               17p13                                                       heterozygosity also polymorphic with                                           EcoRI,TaqI,PstI,PvuII,NapI                                      42 cCI17-469                                                                            D17S533                                                                              MspI 2.0-2.6 kb 5 alleles VNTR,83%                                                                17q25.2-q25.3                                               heterozygosity also polymolphic with                                           EcoRI,TaqI,PvuII                                                54 cCI17-487                                                                            D17S538                                                                              EcoRI   5.8 kb(0.75)                                                                              17q25.1                                                             3.3 kb(0.25)                                            56 cCI17-489                                                                            D17S540                                                                              MspI    3.3 kb(0.25)                                                                              17q23                                                               2.1 kb(0.50)                                                           Taq1    1.5 kb(0.50)                                                                   1.35 kb(0.50)                                                          PvuII   1.2 kb(0.50)                                                                   0.7 kb(0.50)                                            58 cCI17-491                                                                            D17S863                                                                              TaqI    3.6 kb(0.75)                                                                              17p13.1                                                             3.3 kb(0.25)                                            59 cCI17-492                                                                            D17S542                                                                              BglII   2.1 kb(0.40)                                                                              17q11.2                                                             1.4 kb(0.60)                                            61 cCI17-494                                                                            D17S865                                                                              EcoRI   10.3 kb(0.92)                                                                  7.8 kb(0.008)                                           70 cCI17-505                                                                            D17S544                                                                              MspI    3.1 kb(0.58)                                                                              17p12-p11.1                                                         3.0 kb(0.42)                                                           TaqI    4.1 kb(0.67)                                                                   2.7 + 1.4 kb(0.33)                                      71 cCI17-506                                                                            D17S545                                                                              KspI    3.0 kb(0.33)                                                                              17q21                                                               2.6 kb(0.67)                                            73 cCI17-508                                                                            D17S546                                                                              MspI    4.6 kb(0.50)                                                                              17q25.1-q25.2                                                       4.0 kb(0.50)                                            80 cCI17-516                                                                            D17S550                                                                              TaqI    4.1 kb(0.25)                                                                              17q25.1                                                             2.4 + 1.7 kb(0.75)                                                     PvuII   3.4 kb(0.83)                                                                   2.2 kb(0.17)                                            88 cCI17-525                                                                            D17S866                                                                              MspI    2.7 kb(0.42)                                                                   2.3 kb(0.58)                                            118                                                                               cCI17-562                                                                            D17S5867                                                                             TaqI    3.5 kb(0.42)                                                                   3.2 kb(0.58)                                                           PvuII   7.1 kb(0.92)                                                                   6.6 kb(0.08)                                            137                                                                               cCI17-584                                                                            D17S868                                                                              MspI    3.8 kb(0.25)                                                                   3.6 kb(0.75)                                            166                                                                               cCI17-615                                                                            D17S869                                                                              PstI    5.2 kb(0.42)                                                                   4.7 kb(0.58)                                            243                                                                               cCI17-701                                                                            D17S870                                                                              TaqI 1.7-2.5 kb 6 alleles VNTR,67%                                                                17q21.3                                                     heterozygosity also polymorphic with                                           MspI,PstI,PvuII,RsaI                                            244                                                                               cCI17-702                                                                            D17S871                                                                              MspI    4.1 kb(0.83)                                                                              17q25.2-q25.3                                                       3.4 kb(0.17)                                                           RsaI    5.2 kb(0.83)                                                                   4.1 kb(0.17)                                                           BglII   6.6 kb(0.83)                                                                   5.6 kb(0.17)                                                           PvuII   1.9 kb(0.83)                                                                   2.2 kb(0.17)                                            __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 5                                      __________________________________________________________________________        Probe Locus         Allele size                                                                               Chromosomal                                  No.                                                                               name  symbol                                                                               Enzyme  (frequency)                                                                               localization                                 __________________________________________________________________________     245                                                                               cCI17-703                                                                            D17S877                                                                              TaqI 2.6-3.8 kb 4 alleles VNTR,50%                                                                17p13                                                       heterozygosity also polymorphic with                                           MspI,RsaI,PstI,PvuII                                            247                                                                               cCI17-705                                                                            D17S554                                                                              PstI    4.3 kb(0.50)                                                                              17p11.2                                                             2.3 + 2.0 kb(0.50)                                      250                                                                               cCI17-708                                                                            D17S878                                                                              PvuII 2.6-9.0 kb 10 alleles VNTR,87%                                                              17p13                                                       heterozygosity also polymorphic with                                           MspI,TaqI,BglII,PstI,EcoRI                                      252                                                                               cCI17-710                                                                            D17S557                                                                              MspI 2.0-2.6 kb 5 alleles VNTR,100%                                                               17q25.3                                                     heterozygosity also polymorphic with                                           RsaI,TaqI,PstI,PvuII,EcoRI                                      254                                                                               cCI17-712                                                                            D17S558                                                                              MspI    3.1 kb(0.58)                                                                              17p11.2                                                             2.9 kb(0.42)                                                           TaqI    6.6 kb(0.67)                                                                   4.3 + 2.3 kb(0.33)                                                     PvuII   7.1 kb(0.50)                                                                   3.9 + 3.2 kb(0.50)                                      255                                                                               cCI17-713                                                                            D17S559                                                                              MspI 2.2-2.8 kb 3 alleles VNTR,50%                                                                17p13                                                       heterozygosity also polymorphic with                                           PstI                                                            256                                                                               cCI17-714                                                                            D17S560                                                                              RsaI    4.5 kb(0.58)                                                                              17q25.3                                                             4.3 kb(0.42)                                                           TaqI    3.8 kb(0.75)                                                                   2.8 kb(0.25)                                                           BglII   3.8 kb(0.58)                                                                   3.5 kb(0.42)                                                           PvuII   2.6 kb(0.58)                                                                   2.4 kb(0.42)                                                                   1.5 kb(0.58)                                                                   1.4 kb(0.42)                                            257                                                                               cCI17-715                                                                            D17S872                                                                              PstI    3.3 kb(0.17)                                                                              17q21.3                                                             3.0 kb(0.83)                                                           EcoRI   3.6 kb(0.87)                                                                   3.3 kb(0.13)                                            258                                                                               cCI17-716                                                                            D17S561                                                                              TaqI    2.4 kb(0.87)                                                                              17p13                                                               1.3 + 1.1 kb(0.13)                                      261                                                                               cCI17-721                                                                            D17S864                                                                              RsaI    2.9 kb(0.25)                                                                              17q22-q23                                                           1.6 kb(0.75)                                                           BglII   4.4 kb(0.83)                                                                   3.9 kb(0.17)                                            262                                                                               cCI17-722                                                                            D17S563                                                                              MspI    4.1 kb(0.83)                                                                              17q25.2-q25.3                                                       3.4 kb(0.17)                                                           RsaI    5.2 kb(0.83)                                                                   4.1 kb(0.17)                                                           BglII   6.6 kb(0.83)                                                                   5.6 kb(0.17)                                                           PvuII   2.9 kb(0.83)                                                                   2.2 kb(0.17)                                                           EcoRI   13.0 kb(0.75)                                                                  12.5 kb(0.25)                                           263                                                                               cCI17-723                                                                            D17S873                                                                              MspI    3.0 kb(0.33)                                                                              17p13                                                               1.7 kb(0.67)                                                           RsaI    0.8 kb(0.70)                                                                   0.5 kb(0.30)                                                           TaqI    3.6 kb(0.33)                                                                   1.9 kb(0.67)                                                           PstI    5.8 kb(0.50)                                                                   5.3 kb(0.50)                                                           PvuII   4.6 kb(0.58)                                                                   4.2 kb(0.42)                                            266                                                                               cCI17-727                                                                            D17S566                                                                              PvuII 2.6-9.0 kb 10 alleles VNTR,87%                                                              17p13                                                       heterozygosity also polymorphic with                                           MspI,TaqI,BglII,PstI,EcoRI                                      268                                                                               cCI17-723                                                                            D17S568                                                                              MspI    4.6 kb(0.58)                                                                              17q11.2                                                             2.6 kb(0.42)                                            __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 6                                      __________________________________________________________________________        Probe Locus         Allele size                                                                               Chromosomal                                  No.                                                                               name  symbol                                                                               Enzyme  (frequency)                                                                               localization                                 __________________________________________________________________________     269                                                                               cCI17-730                                                                            D17S874                                                                              MspI 2.2-3.5 kb 4 alleles VNTR,83%                                                                17q21.3                                                     heterozygosity also polymorphic with                                           TaqI,BglII,PstI,PvuII                                           270                                                                               cCI17-732                                                                            D17S570                                                                              RsaI    3.2 kb(0.50)                                                                              17p13.2                                                             2.7 kb(0.50)                                                           BglII   8.5 kb(0.50)                                                                   3.2 kb(0.50)                                                           PstI    9.5 kb(0.58)                                                                   1.7 kb(0.42)                                                           PvuII   4.2 kb(0.50)                                                                   4.1 kb(0.50)                                            271                                                                               cCI17-733                                                                            D17S875                                                                              MspI    3.4 kb(0.75)                                                                              17q25.1                                                             2.6 kb(0.25)                                            272                                                                               cCI17-735                                                                            D17S571                                                                              MspI    4.1 kb(0.83)                                                                              17q25.3                                                             3.4 kb(0.17)                                                           RsaI    5.2 kb(0.83)                                                                   4.1 kb(0.17)                                                           PvuII   2.9 kb(0.83)                                                                   2.2 kb(0.17)                                            273                                                                               cCI17-736                                                                            D17S573                                                                              TaqI 1.7-2.5 kb 7 alleles VNTR,100%                                                               17q21.3                                                     heterozygosity also polymorphic with                                           MspI,RsaI,PstI,PvuII                                            275                                                                               cCI17-739                                                                            D17S575                                                                              MspI    3.3 kb(0.33)                                                                              17q25.1                                                             2.4 kb(0.67)                                            278                                                                               cCI17-743                                                                            D17S876                                                                              TaqI    4.3 kb(0.17)                                                                   2.8 kb(0.83)                                            __________________________________________________________________________

RFLP markers are characterized in that they can be used to distinguish between two alleles inherited from parents by the difference in polymorphism ("informative"), however, they are indistinguishable when both of them have the same polymorphic pattern ("not informative"). If such a difference in polymorphic pattern between two alleles ("heterozygosity") exists in normal tissues and the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) is detected in tumor tissues, this implies an allelic deletion in the RFLP marker site on a specific chromosome of tumor tissues. It is generally believed that the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes on both alleles, as caused by the deletion of one allele and the mutation in the other, may lead to malignant transformation. Thus, it is assumed that a tumor suppressor gene is present in a region commonly deleted in many cancers.

Using the detailed chromosome map and RFLP markers thus obtained, the present inventors examined about 300 breast cancers and about 100 ovarian cancers for LOH in chromosome 17. As a result, it was revealed that, in informative cases, a region (of 2.4 cM) lying between cosmid markers cCI17-701 and cCI17-730 located in the neighborhood of 17q21 was deleted with high frequency.

FIG. 2 shows partial deletions on chromosome 17q in ovarian cancers. Solid circles represent the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and open circles represent the retention of both alleles. Two commonly deleted regions are designated by sidelines.

FIG. 3 shows partial deletions on chromosome 17q in breast cancers. Solid circles represent the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and open circles represent the retention of both alleles. Two commonly deleted regions are designated by sidelines.

One of the commonly deleted regions partially overlapped with the region in which the presence of a causative gene was suggested by linkage analyses of families affected with hereditary breast cancer. When 650 cases of sporadic breast cancer were examined for somatic rearrangements by Southern-blot analysis using cosmids located in the overlapping region as probes, it was revealed that a partial region in the DNA of cosmid clone cCI17-904, which had been selected as described above, detected amplification. On closer examination of this alterations, it was found that segments each having about 6-9 kb were connected with each other to form an abnormal repetition consisting of about 4-6 copies. Moreover, a gene encoding a novel protein was isolated by screening cDNA (DNA having a complementary base sequence reverse-transcribed from messenger RNA) libraries by using, as a probe, a restriction fragment of this cosmid clone having a sequence which was conserved among other species. When the sequence structure of this gene was determined and the presence or absence of genomic alterations of this gene in breast cancers was examined, a distinct gene mutation was identified. These results have revealed that deficiency or mutation in this protein and the allelic deletion or mutation of the DNA encoding it deeply participate in the onset of breast and ovarian cancers.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show the above-described process starting with a group of markers and leading to the isolation of the gene, as well as the regions where genomic rearrangements occurred in tumor tissues. Clone names are designated by clone numbers alone.

The present invention is very important in that it can provide methods and materials for solving difficult problems (such as risk diagnosis, early finding, course watching, determination of a treatment plan, and estimation of prognosis) concerning at lease a part of breast and ovarian cancers, for example, by examining the presence or absence of deficiency or mutation in the protein of the present invention or the presence or absence of the allelic deletion or mutation of the gene encoding it, and thereby bring about a marked advance in the technology in this field.

Specifically, the present invention provides (1) an MDC protein which comprises the whole or part of the protein represented by SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:4, or which consists of a protein substantially equivalent to one comprising the whole or part of the protein represented by SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:4, (2) a DNA which comprises the whole or part of the DNA represented by SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:8 or SEQ ID NO:9, or which consists of a DNA substantially equivalent to one comprising the whole or part of the DNA represented by SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:8 or SEQ ID NO:9, (3) a plasmid containing the DNA as set forth in the above (2), a transformant carrying the plasmid, i.e., a transformant transformed with the plasmid, and a process for the production of the MDC protein described above, which comprises the steps of culturing the transformant described above and collecting the resulting expression product, (4) an antibody which can bind to the MDC protein described above as an antigen, and (5) a primer, probe or marker which has a DNA sequence comprising a part of the DNA sequence of the DNA as set forth in the above (2), or a DNA sequence complementary to a part of the DNA sequence of the DNA as set forth in the above (2), and a gene analysis method which comprises the step of hybridizing the primer or probe described above to a DNA to be tested.

The term "MDC protein" in this specification means a protein and a peptide (including a oligopeptide and a polypeptide) involved in the definition of the term, "the MDC protein".

Further scope and applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. The present invention will be specifically described hereinbelow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(1) Isolation of cDNA clones

Cosmid clones having a DNA derived from human chromosome 17 introduced thereinto can be produced, for example, by extracting chromosomal DNA from a human-mouse hybrid cell line containing a single human chromosome 17 in a mouse genomic background, and incorporating fragments of the chromosomal DNA into a vector such as pWKEX15, according to a method reported by Tokino et al. (Tokino et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet., 48, 258-268, 1991). From among them, clones having an insert derived from the human chromosome can be selected by colony hybridization using the whole human DNA as probe.

The map position of each of the cosmid clones can be determined by FISH. Then, they can be used as markers to construct a high resolution physical chromosome map. Moreover, RFLP markers can be selected on the basis of the fragment length pattern in southern blot analysis (Nakamura et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet., 43, 854-859, 1988). If this map and these RFLP markers are utilized. To examine DNAs obtained from the tumor tissues of cancer patients for LOH (loss of heterozygosity), the commonly deleted region on the chromosome in the tumor tissues can be localized to a very small region near q21 of chromosome 17.

Southern-blot analysis of the DNAs from tumor tissues by using a cosmid clone, whose hybridizable portion is present in this localized region, as a probe makes it possible to select clones having a DNA sequence associated with genomic alterations in the tumor tissues. Moreover, Southern-blot analysis of the chromosomal DNAs of various mammals by using restriction fragments of the cosmid clone as probes makes it possible to select a fragment containing a DNA sequence conserved among other species and involved in fundamental cellular functions. DNA sequences encoding important proteins are often conserved among other species. In fact, many of the hitherto isolated genes for hereditary diseases are conserved among other species (Call, K. M. et al., Cell, 60,509-520, 1990).

If the DNA fragment thus obtained is used as a probe, the cDNA of the gone present in a localized region near q21 of human chromosome 17 can be cloned. The base sequence of this cDNA can be determined by a conventional manner (Maniatis, J. et al., Molecular Cloning 2nd. ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, N.Y. 1989).

In order to confirm that the DNA clones thus obtained are clones of the desired causative gone, their sequences may be used to examine the presence or absence of genomic alterations in cancer patients and the incidence of genomic alterations according to the SSCP method (Orita, M. et al., Genomics, 5, 874-879, 1984; Orita, M. et al., Cell, 60, 509-520, 1990), the RNase protection method (Winter, E., Perucho, M. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82, 7575-7579, 1985; Myers, R. M. et al., Science, 230, 1242-1246, 1985) and other methods.

(2) Confirmation of the whole structure of the gene

It has been confirmed that the DNA sequences of two cDNAs obtained by the above-described procedure are novel and are those of the DNAs represented by SEQ ID NO:6 and SEQ ID NO:7. The corresponding amino acid sequences have also been identified as those of the proteins represented by SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3. Moreover, 5'-RACE and RT-PCR have revealed the DNA sequence of the DNA represented by SEQ ID NO:8, and the amino acid sequence of the protein represented by SEQ ID NO:4 has been deduced as one corresponding to the DNA sequence. Furthermore, with regard to genomic DNA, the structure of the DNA represented by SEQ ID NO:9 including introns and exons has been revealed by analyzing the base sequence of the original cosmid clone cCI17-904 and comparing it with the base sequence of the isolated cDNA clone to determine the intron-exon junctions.

By the present inventors, proteins comprising the whole or part of the amino acid sequence of the protein represented by SEQ ID NO:1, which is an amino acid sequence common to all of the above-described proteins, are named MDC proteins and will hereinafter be referred to as MDC proteins.

The term "a part of the protein" means, for example, a polypeptide having or comprising an amino acid sequence consisting of a continuous, at least three, amino acids described in SEQ ID NO:1. The amino acid sequence consists of preferably at least three to five amino acids, still more preferably at least eight or at least eight to ten amino acids, and most preferably at least eleven to twenty amino acids. It is to be understood that polypeptides, each having or comprising an amino acid sequence consisting of, continuously, more than 20 amino acids described in SEQ ID NO:1 can also be used.

As used herein, the term "substantially equivalent" means that, in proteins comprising the whole or part of the amino acid sequence of the protein represented by, for example, SEQ ID NO:1, their amino acid sequences are attended with the replacement, deletion and/or insertion of one or more amino acids, but they can produce an equal effect in research and diagnosis using the proteins comprising the whole or part of the amino acid sequence of the protein represented by, for example, SEQ ID NO:1. Such equivalents also fall within the scope of the present invention and also called as MDC proteins.

The DNA sequence common to all DNAs encoding MDC proteins is represented by SEQ ID NO:5.

A DNA in accordance with the present invention can be utilized in gene analysis and diagnosis. That is, a primer or probe comprising a part of the DNA sequence of the DNA according to the present invention, or comprising a DNA sequence complementary to a part of the DNA sequence of the DNA according to the present invention is used in gene analysis and diagnosis.

Part of the DNA sequence consists of at least six bases, preferably at least 8 bases, still more preferably 10-12 bases and particularly preferably about 15-25 bases. That is, the oligonucleotide used as a primer or probe comprises at least six bases derived from the DNA sequence of the DNA according to the present invention or derived from the DNA sequence complementary to the DNA sequence of the DNA according to the present invention, and, if necessary, other base(s).

In connection with the DNAs of the present invention, the term "substantially equivalent" has the same meaning as described above for the proteins, except that their base sequences have the replacement, deletion and/or insertion of one or more bases.

The introduction of replacement, deletion and insertion mutations into a particular base sequence can be accomplished according to any of conventional methods including those described in F. M. Ausubel et al., "Current Protocols in Molecular Biology", 1987, Chapter 8.

The MDC protein encoded by the DNA according to the present invention, i.e., the MDC protein according to the present invention, can be utilized by using it as an epitope to prepare an antibody. This antibody can be used in experimental and diagnostic reagents. The term "epitope" means an antigenic determinant of a polypeptide and is generally composed of at least 5 amino acids. It is well known that a polypeptide composed of 6 amino acids binds with an antibody, as disclosed in, for example, Published Japanese Translation of International Patent Application No. 60-500684.

(3) Recombinant expression vectors and transformants generated therewith

A transformant can be obtained by incorporating a DNA encoding human MDC protein, which has been obtained by the above-described procedure, or a fragment thereof, into a suitable vector and introducing this vector into suitable host cells. By culturing this transformant with a conventional manner, large amounts of human MDC protein can be obtained from the culture. More specifically, a recombinant expression vector can be produced by linking a DNA encoding a human MDC protein or a fragment thereof on the downstream side of the promoter of a vector suited for its expression according to a well-known method using restriction enzymes and DNA ligase. Usable vectors include, for example, plasmids pRB322 and pUC18 derived from Escherichia coli, plasmid pUB110 derived from Bacillus subtilis, plasmid pRB15 derived from yeast, phage vectors λgt10 and λgt11, and vector SV40 derived from an animal virus. However, no particular limitation is placed on the type of vector used, so long as it can be replicated and amplified in the host. Similarly, no particular limitation is placed on the promoter and terminator, so long as they are compatible with the host used for the expression of the DNA base sequence encoding the human MDC protein. They may be used in any suitable combination depending on the host. The DNA used can be any of DNAs encoding human MDC protein. It is not limited to the base sequences represented by SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:8 and SEQ ID NO:9, but can be any of these DNAs in which a part of the base sequence has undergone replacement, deletion, insertion or a combination thereof, whether intentionally or not. In addition, chemically synthesized DNAs can also be used.

A transformant is generated by introducing the recombinant expression vector thus obtained into a host according to the competent cell method (J. Mol. Biol., 53, 154, 1970), the protoplast method (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 75, 1929, 1978), the calcium phosphate method (Science, 221, 551, 1983), the in vitro packaging method (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 72, 581, 1975) or the virus vector method (Cell, 37, 1053, 1984). The host used can be Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, yeast or animal cells, and the resulting transformant is grown in a suitable medium depending on the host. Usually, the transformant is grown at a temperature of 20° to 45° C. and a pH of 5 to 8, optionally with aeration and stirring. Separation and purification of the MDC protein from the culture may be carried out using a suitable combination of well-known separation and purification techniques. These well-known techniques include salting-out, solvent precipitation, dialysis, gel filtration, electrophoresis, ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and the like.

(4) Preparation of antibodies

Antibodies can be prepared in the usual manner by using an antigen having an epitope part comprising an MDC protein. For example, a polyclonal antibody can be prepared by fully immunizing an animal such as a mouse, guinea pig and rabbit through a plurality of subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal or intravenous injections of the antigen described above, collecting blood from this animal, and separating serum therefrom. Commercially available adjuvants may also be used.

A monoclonal antibody can be prepared, for example, by immunizing a mouse with the antigen described above, fusing its spleen cells with commercially available mouse myeloma cells to produce a hybridoma, and collecting an antibody from the culture supernatant of the hybridoma or the ascites of a mouse inoculated with the hybridoma.

The MDC protein which is used as antigen or is used to prepare an antigen need not necessarily have the whole amino acid structure described in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:4, but may have a partial structure of the amino acid sequence described in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:4. Alternatively, the MDC protein may be a variant or derivative of the MDC protein represented by SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:4. The antigen may be an MDC protein as such, or a fusion peptide consisting of an MDC protein (incluing peptide) and another peptide. Preparation of the fusion peptide may be carried out according to either biological techniques or chemical synthesis techniques.

These antibodies enable identification and determination of the MDC protein present in human biological specimens and can hence be used as reagents for the diagnosis of cancer, and the like.

The immunological determination of the MDC protein can be made according to any conventional technique. For example, any of the fluorescent antibody technique, the passive agglutination technique and the enzyme antibody technique may be employed.

(5) Gene analysis of human tumor tissues

The biological specimens which can be used for gene analysis include human normal tissues and various types of human tumor %issues, as well as human blood, human body fluids, human secretions and the like. The extraction and preparation of DNA can be carried out, for example, according to the method of Sato et al. (Sato, T. et al., Cancer Res., 50, 7184, 1990).

The presence or absence of mutations of the gene can be analyzed by using, as probes, a restriction fragment of the DNA encoding human MDC protein as provided by the present invention, or by selecting a properly located base sequence from the DNA, synthesizing an oligonucleotide having the selected base sequence and using the oligonucleotide as primer.

These analyses can also detect other alterations, such as insertions and deletions, of the gene in samples.

The base sequences selected for this purpose can be exon portions, intron portions, or junction portions therebetween. It is a matter of course that artificially modified base sequences may be used. When an artificially modified base sequence is used to prepare a primer, the corresponding gene mutation can be detected by the gene analysis.

Analyses can be carried out, for example, by amplifying a partial sequence by PCR using two selected sequences as primers and analyzing the base sequence of the amplification product directly, or by incorporating the amplification product into a plasmid in the same manner as that described above, transforming host cells with this plasmid, culturing the transformed cells, and analyzing the base sequence of the clone thus obtained. Alternatively, the presence or absence of particular mutations of the gene in samples can be directly detected by the use of the ligase chain reaction method (Wu et al., Genomics, 4, 560-569, 1989) and, moreover, the mutant sequence specific PCR method (Ruano and Kidd, Nucleic Acid Research, 17, 8392, 1989; C. R. Newton et al., Nucleic Acid Research, 17, 2503-2517, 1989).

Similarly, using probes containing DNA sequences selected or RNA sequences derived therefrom, point mutations can be detected by the SSCP method or the RNase protection method. Moreover, use of these probes also makes it possible to detect mutations of the gene in samples by Southern hybridization and abnormalities in the expression level of the gene in samples by northern hybridization.

Escherichia coli DH5/pBR1 and Escherichia coli XL1-Blue MRF'Kan/pCR-5P2, each carrying a plasmid containing the DNA encoding this MDC protein, and Escherichia coli 490A/cCI 17-904, carrying a cosmid containing the genomic DNA, were deposited with the National Institute of Bioscience and Human-Technology, Agency of industrial Science and Technology, Ministry of International Trade and Industry on Apr. 28, 1993, Feb. 8, 1994 and Apr. 28, 1993 under accession numbers FERM BP-4286, FERM BP-4555 and FERM BP-4287, respectively.

The MDC proteins and DNAs encoding the MDC proteins according to the present invention are expected to be useful as reagents for cancer research, testing and diagnostic reagents, and therapeutic agents.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following Examples which should not be considered to limit the scope of the present invention.

Example 1

Isolation of cosmid clones specific for human chromosome 1T and construction of a chromosome map

A human-mouse hybrid cell line (GM10331) containing a single human chromosome 17 in a mouse genomic background was selected from among hybrid cells produced by fusing human normal cells with cells of an established mouse cell line and cosmid clones specific for human chromosome 17 were isolated according to the method of Tokino et al. (Tokino et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet., 48, 258-268, 1991). The chromosomal DNA of this hybrid cell line was properly digested with restriction enzyme Sau 3AI and the ends of the fragments thus obtained were treated by partial filling-in with dATP and dGTP. Fragments having a size of 35-42 kb were separated therefrom and inserted in cosmid vector pWEX15 which had previously been digested with restriction enzyme Xho I and similarly treated at its ends by a partial filling-in with dCTP and dTTP. From among the resulting cosmid clones, clones containing human DNA fragments were selected by colony hybridization using ³² P-labeled human chromosomal DNA as probe. Thus, 342 cosmid clones specific for human chromosome 17 were isolated.

With regard to each of these cosmid clones specific for human chromosome 17, the location to which its cosmid DNA hybridize on the chromosome was determined by FISH (Inazawa et al., Genomics, 10, 1075-1078, 1991). Thus, a physical chromosome map for chromosome 17 was constructed (see Tables 1-3 and FIG. 1).

Using DNAs obtained from 6 unrelated individuals, the cosmid clones (cosmid markers), the locations on the chromosome to which their cosmid DNA hybridize had been determined, were examined by a known method (Nakamura et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet., 43, 854-859, 1988) in order to see whether RFLP could be detected or not. The restriction enzyme used was Msp I, Taq I, Bgl II, Pst I, Pvu II, Rsa I or Eco RI. As a result, RFLP was detected in 43 clones (see Tables 4-6). That is, these 43 clones were usable as RFLP markers.

Example 2

Detection of commonly deleted regions the human chromosome 17q in ovarian and breast cancers

Tumor tissues were obtained from 94 patients with ovarian cancer and 246 patients with breast cancer who underwent surgery. Corresponding normal tissues or peripheral blood samples were also obtained from the respective patients. DNAs were extracted from these tissues or samples according to a known method (Sato et al., Cancer Res., 50, 7184-7189, 1990). Each DNA was digested with suitable restriction enzymes, and the fragments thus obtained were subjected to 1.0% agarose gel electrophoresis and then Southern transferred to a nylon membrane with 0.1N NaOH/0.1M NaCl (Sato et al., Cancer Res., 50, 7184-7189, 1990).

The membranes thus obtained were examined for LOH (loss of heterozygosity) by Southern hybridization (Sato et al., Cancer Res., 50, 7184-7189, 1990) using, as probes, the RFLP markers obtained by the procedure of Example 1 (see Table 7).

                                      TABLE 7                                      __________________________________________________________________________                                                          Breast Cancer                                                                       allelic                             Ovarian Cancer                             losses/              Chromo-        No. of patients tested                No.                                                                                 info-                somal          ser-                                                                              muci-                                                                              clear  allelic losses/infomative cases                                                                        patients                                                                            mative-              Probe                                                                               Location                                                                            Enzyme                                                                              ous                                                                               nous                                                                               cell                                                                              others                                                                             serous                                                                               mucinous                                                                             clear cell                                                                           others                                                                               tested                                                                              cases                __________________________________________________________________________                                                               (%)                  CI17-316                                                                            q12-21.1                                                                            MspI 32 15  12 22  6/13(46.2)                                                                           0/1(0.0)                                                                             0/3(0.0)                                                                             1/9(11.1)                                                                            85   11/37                                                                          (29.7)               CI17-592                                                                            q21.3                                                                               EcoRI                                                                               14 13  9  15  2/3(66.7)                                                                            0/1(0.0)                                                                             0/1(0.0)                                                                             2/4(50.0)                                                                            62   8/18                                                                           (44.4)               CI17-701                                                                            q21.3                                                                               TaqI 24 14  13 19  9/15(60.0)                                                                           2/12(16.7)                                                                           0/7(0.0)                                                                             5/12(41.7)                                                                           232  48/138                                                                         (34.8)               CI17-730                                                                            q21.3                                                                               TaqI 29 15  13 19  6/12(50.0)                                                                           0/4(0.0)                                                                             0/4(0.0)                                                                             2/4(50.0)                                                                            237  36/96                                                                          (37.5)               CI17-507                                                                            q21.3                                                                               MspI 22 14  11 20  6/7(85.7)                                                                            1/3(33.3)                                                                            1/3(33.3)                                                                            2/5(40.0)                                                                            74   7/25                                                                           (28.0)               CI17-533                                                                            q21.3                                                                               TaqI 22 13  11 16  6/11(54.5)                                                                           3/9(33.3)                                                                            1/7(14.3)                                                                            4/9(44.4)                                                                            230  25/93                                                                          (26.9)               CI17-7                                                                              q22  PvuII                                                                               21 8   9  15  4/5(80.0)                                                                            0/1(0.0)                                                                             0/3(0.0)                                                                             1/3(33.3)                                                                            86   14/41                                                                          (34.1)               CI17-489                                                                            q23  MspI 26 13  11 21  5/5(100.0)                                                                           0/2(0.0)                                                                             0/3(0.0)                                                                             3/8(37.5)                                                                            75   10/31                                                                          (32.3)               CMM8G                                                                               q23  TaqI 28 13  10 17  6/17(35.3)                                                                           1/8(12.5)                                                                            0/6(0.0)                                                                             2/10(20.0)                                                                           79   12/49                                                                          (24.5)               CI17-516                                                                            q25.1                                                                               TaqI 29 14  14 21  6/17(35.3)                                                                           1/10(10.0)                                                                           0/7(0.0)                                                                             6/11(54.5)                                                                           84   9/31                                                                           (29.0)               CI17-710                                                                            q25.3                                                                               TaqI 18 13  10 12  4/8(50.0)                                                                            3/8(37.5)                                                                            0/6(0.0)                                                                             3/7(42.9)                                                                            80   13/45                                                                          (28.9)               __________________________________________________________________________

A total of 84 among 94 ovarian tumors were informative for at least one locus, and 33 (39.3%) of them showed LOH for at least one locus on chromosome 17q. Among 246 breast tumors examined, 214 were informative for at least one locus, and 88 (41.4%) showed LOH for at least one locus on chromosome 17q.

From the above results, the instances which were informative for two or more loci and exhibited both loss of heterozygosity at a locus and retaining of heterozygosity at other locus on chromosome 17q were summarized.

As a result, two commonly deleted regions were found in 8 ovarian cancers (see FIG. 2). One of them was a region lying between markers CI17-316 (17q12-21.1) and CI17-507 (17q21.3), and the other was a region distal to the marker CI17-516 (17q25.1).

Similarly, two commonly deleted regions were found in 35 breast cancers (see FIG. 3). One of them was a region lying between markers CI17-701 (17q21.3) and CI17-730 (17q21.3), which was also found in the ovarian cancers but was more narrowly localized. The other was a region lying on the terminal side of marker CI17-516 (17q25.1), which was also the region where a deletion was observed in the ovarian cancers.

Of the two commonly deleted regions defined by the above-described deletion mapping, the region flanked by markers CI17-701 and CI17-730 was found to lie close to the 17q21 region which showed an intimate correlation with the onset of cancer on the basis of the results of linkage mapping studies on hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer (Hall et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet., 50, 1235-1242, 1992). The length of this region (i.e., the genetic distance between the two markers) was estimated to be 2.4 cM by linkage analysis (Lathtop et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet., 37, 482-498, 1985; Donis-Keller et al., Cell, 51, 319-337, 1987).

Example 3

Isolation of cosmid clones contained in the minimal localized region

Since it has been shown that the region localized on the basis of the results of linkage mapping is a region lying between markers THRA1 and Mfd188 on 17q21 (Hall et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet., 52, 1235-1242, 1992; Bowcock, A. M. et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet., 52, 718-22, 1993), an attempt was made to determine the relative order of these markers and markers CI17-701 and CI17-730 and thereby combine the mapping information obtained by two different strategies. The relative order of the markers was determined by a two-color FISH method newly developed by the present inventors. This method is a modification of FISH in which a highly extended chromosome preparation obtained by synchronization of the cells is used to enhance the degree of fineness and, moreover, probes labeled with fluorescent materials having different colors are used. This method makes it possible to determine the relative order of markers very close to each other.

As a result, it was found that marker Mfd188 lies between markers CI17-701 and CI17-730 and marker THRA1 lies on the centromeric side of CI17-701 (see FIG. 4A). That is, the region associated with hereditary breast cancer as localized by linkage mapping and the commonly deleted region in sporadic breast cancers as localized by deletion mapping overlapped each other and the overlapping minimal region was flanked by markers CI17-701 and Mfd188 (see FIG. 4A). When a physical map of this region was constructed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, the length of the overlapping region was greatly narrowed down to about 500 kb.

Furthermore, of the cosmid clones obtained by the procedure of Example 1, 37 clones localized to 17q21.3 and three known markers, THRA1, Mfd188 and PPY, were selected and used for fine mapping of this chromosomal region by two-color FISH. As a result, 15 cosmid clones were located in a region flanked by markers CI17-701 and CI17-730. Of these, two cosmid clones, CI17-527 and CI17-904, were found to lie in the above-described overlapping region (see FIG. 4A).

Example 4

Detection of genomic alterations in breast cancers

Of the overlapping region of about 500 kb, about 150 kb has already been covered by four cosmid clones CI17-701, CI17-527, CI17-904 and Mfd188. Accordingly, an attempt was first made to screen restriction (Sac I, Pvu II or Pst I) fragments of the DNAs from the tumor tissues of 650 sporadic breast cancers by Southern-blot analysis using the DNAs of these cosmid clones or fragments thereof as probes and thereby detect gross structural genomic alterations (so-called genomic rearrangements), such as deletion, duplication, amplification and translocation, having occurred in the tumor cells. As a result, when the DNA of CI17-904 or its 9.5 kb Hind III fragment (see FIG. 4B) was used as probe, genomic rearrangements were detected in the tumor tissues of two breast cancers (see FIG. 5, a and b). These genomic rearrangements occurred only in the tumor tissues, exhibiting extra bands of different size which were not observed in normal tissues. In addition, the intensities of some bands were increased. That is, a gene amplification occurred in a definite DNA region corresponding to (i.e., hybridizable) this probe. In one case among the above-mentioned two breast cancers, no gene amplification was detected when Southern-blot analysis of the Sac I fragments of DNA from the breast cancer tissue was carried out by using the E-H5.2 or Hind6.1 fragment adjacent to the 9.5 kb Hind III fragment (see FIG. 4B) as a probe (see FIG. 6, Case 1). This indicates that the gene amplification in this case occurred within the region corresponding to the 9.5 kb Hind III fragment and was a 4- to 5-fold amplification.

For the purpose of closer examination, Southern-blot analyses of the Sac I fragments of DNA from the breast cancer tissue were carried out using each of six Sac I fragments derived from the 9.5 kb Hind III fragment, A, B, C, D, E and F (see FIG. 4B), as probe. As a result, amplified bands of abnormal size were observed at 2.5 kb with probes A and B, at 3.0 kb with probes B, C and D, at 2.5 kb with probes E and F, and at 0.9 kb with probe F (see FIG. 7).

In the other case, gene amplification was detected when Southern-blot analysis of the Sac I fragments of DNA from the breast cancer tissue was carried out by using the E-H5.2 fragment as a probe (see FIG. 6, Case 2). However, no gene amplification was detected when the Hind6.1 fragment was used as a probe (see FIG. 6, Case 2). In this case, when the E-H5.2 fragment was used as a probe, only an amplification was observed without being attended with any band of abnormal size. This indicates that the gene amplification in this case occurred in a segment extending from within the region corresponding to the 9.5 kb HindIII fragment to the outer (telomeric) side of the region corresponding to the E-H5.2 fragment.

Example 5

Isolation of cDNA and determination of its structure

In order to isolate an expressed gene in or near the region where genomic rearrangements were detected in the two breast cancers, DNA fragments containing DNA sequences involved in fundamental cellular functions and conserved among other species were selected from DNA fragments of cosmid clone CI17-904. Specifically, each of the DNA fragments of cosmid clone CI17-904 was used as probe in Southern blot hybridization analyses of DNA fragments from cow, pig, mouse, rat and chicken. As a result, the 3.5 kb Hind III-Ksp I fragment (see FIG. 4B) of cosmid clone CI17-904 hybridized to DNAs from cow, pig, mouse and rat and showed strong conservation.

Using this 3.5 kb Hind III-Ksp I fragment as a probe, human cDNA libraries derived from five different organs (i.e., mammary gland, breast cancer cell line, fetal brain, cerebrum and cerebellum) were screened. Thus, the longest cDNA was cloned from the cerebellar cDNA library. This cDNA hybridized to the 3.5 kb Hind III-Ksp I fragment of cosmid clone CI17-904 and a plurality of adjoining restriction fragments, and extended over a region of more than 20 kb on the chromosome.

Analysis of the base sequence of this cDNA revealed that it consisted of 2923 base pairs (bp) and was a novel DNA base sequence containing a 5'-untranslated region of 27 bp, a coding region of 1575 bp, a 3'-untranslated region of 1306 bp, and a poly(A) tail of 15 bp (see SEQ ID NO:6). The open reading frame contained in this cDNA sequence encoded a novel protein (MDC protein: see SEQ ID NO:2). An in-frame termination codon was present immediately upstream of the first ATG of the open reading frame. A polyadenylation signal, AATAAA, was observed about 20 bp upstream from the polyadenylation sire.

Example 6

Determination of the structure of genomic DNA

In order to clarify the structure of the genomic DNA corresponding to the cDNA obtained in Example 5, cosmid clone CI17-904 was examined to determine the base sequences of portions containing the base sequence of this cDNA and portions surrounding them. Then, the sequences of both were compared to determine the exon-intron junctions. As a result, the sequence structure of a novel DNA containing 25 exons corresponding to the cDNA obtained in Example 5 was clarified (see SEQ ID NO:9). Thus, it was shown that these 25 exons are of relatively small size and present over about a 20 kb region of the chromosome.

Example 7

Detection of alterations in the exon structure of the gene in breast cancers

From the structure of the DNA containing exons/introns as clarified in Example 6, it has become apparent that exons 2, 3 and 4 are present in the sequence region of the probe (the 9.5 kb Hind III fragment of cosmid clone CI17-904) with which alterations were detected in the tumor tissues of two breast cancers as described in Example 4. More specifically, exon 2 is present in the sequence region of probe E, and exons 3 and 4 are present in the sequence region of probe F (see FIG. 4B). Accordingly, it is believed that the gene rearrangements involving the 9.5 kb Hind III fragment region as described in Example 4 disrupt the normal exon structure in the region containing the three exons of the gene. In order to confirm this, the chromosomal DNAs from the tumor tissues of the above-described two breast cancers were examined by Southern-blot analysis using probes having DNA sequences corresponding to exons 2, 3 and 4. Thus, amplified bands of abnormal size were observed similarly to the previously described results obtained with probe E or F (see FIG. 7).

Example 8

Tissue specificity of gene expression

mRNAs derived from various human tissues (brain, heart, kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, placenta, skeletal muscle, colon, peripheral blood lymphocyte, ovary, small intestine, spleen, testis and thymus) were examined by northern-blot analysis using the cDNA obtained in Example 5 as a probe. As a result, the strongest expression was observed in the brain, and a weak expression in the heart, ovary and testis.

Moreover, amplification by RT-PCR (reverse-transcriptase PCR) was performed to detect a weaker expression. Specifically, using random hexamers as primers, single-stranded cDNAs were synthesized from mRNAs derived from various human tissues under the action of reverse transcriptase. Then, PCR amplification from these templates was performed using primers BC09 and BC012 having sequences derived from the sequences of exons 21 and 23, respectively, which had been revealed in Example 6. As a result, a PCR product having the expected size was observed mainly in tissues of the central nervous system (cerebrum, cerebellum and fetal brain) and in endocrine or reproductive organs (testis, ovary, mammary gland, adrenal gland, thymus and pancreas).

The sequences of the primers used are as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         BC09       5'-GCACCTGCCCCGGCAGT-3'                                                        (SEQ ID NO: 10)                                                                (coding strand, corresponding to base                                          numbers 1764-1780 of SEQ ID NO: 6)                                  BC012      5'-CCAGGACAGCCCCAGCGATG-3'                                                     (SEQ ID NO: 11)                                                                (antisense strand, corresponding to base                                       numbers 1976-1957 of SEQ ID NO: 6)                                  ______________________________________                                    

Example 9

Direct sequencing of mRNA by RT-PCR

mRNAs derived from human fetal brain and human testis were amplified by RT-PCR using primer GMA701 having a sequence derived from the sequence on exon 19 and primer GMB704 having a sequence derived from the sequence on exon 21. Then, the base sequences of the amplified DNAs were directly determined using primer GMA702 or GMB703. As a result, a sequence, wherein 10 bases (base numbers 1512-1521) were deleted from the cerebellar cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 obtained in Example 5, was found, which revealed the expression of mRNA corresponding to the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:7. Both the fetal brain and testis mRNAs gave the identical result. The open reading frame contained in the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 encodes an MDC protein (see SEQ ID NO:3) composed of 670 amino acids.

This seems to be caused by the alternative RNA splicing at the initiation of exon 20 which starts with base number 6083 instead of base number 6078 on the genomic DNA of SEQ ID NO:9. Such a variation of splicing is also known from, for example, a report by Oda et al. [Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 193, 897-904 (1993)]. As a result, the amino acid sequences encoded by the cDNA of SEQ ID NO:6 and the cDNA of SEQ ID NO:7 differ from each other at and after that site (see SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3). Specifically, the cDNA of SEQ ID NO:6 produces a termination codon within exon 20, whereas the reading frame is shifted in the cDNA of SEQ ID NO:7 so as to cause the open reading frame to continue to a more downstream position.

The sequences of the primers used in PCR and DNA sequencing are as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         GMA701      5'-GGCTGCTGATCGCTTCTGCTAC-3'                                                   (SEQ ID NO: 12)                                                                (coding strand, corresponding to base                                          numbers 1413-1434 in SEQ ID NO: 6)                                 GMA702      5'-GAGAAGCTGAATGTGGAGGG-3'                                                     (SEQ ID NO: 13)                                                                (coding strand, corresponding to base                                          numbers 1435-1456 in SEQ ID NO: 6)                                 GMB703      5'-GTCAGAGCCGTCCGCCAGC-3'                                                      (SEQ ID NO: 14)                                                                (antisense strand, corresponding to base                                       numbers 1675-1657 in SEQ ID NO: 6)                                 GMB704      5'-GCCATCCTCCACATAGCTCAGG-3'                                                   (SEQ ID NO: 15)                                                                (antisense strand, corresponding to base                                       numbers 1696-1655 in SEQ ID NO: 6)                                 ______________________________________                                    

Example 10

Amplification of the 5'-terminal sequence by RACE

In order to obtain the full-length cDNA represented by SEQ ID NO:7, PCR amplification of the 5'-cDNA terminus (5'-RACE; Frohman, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85, 8998-9002, 1988; Belyavski, et al., Nucleic Acid Res., 17, 2919-2932, 1988) was performed. Using specific oligomer SGN012 as a primer, together with a commercially available synthesis kit, a single-stranded cDNA was synthesized from 2 μg of poly A(+) RNA derived from human brain (manufactured by Clontech). Then, 5'-RACE was performed using a commercially available kit based on the method of Edwards et al. for linking an anchor oligomer to an end of a single-stranded cDNA (Nucleic Acid Res., 19, 5227-5232, 1991). As a result of PCR using the anchor oligomer of the kit and another specific oligomer SGN011 as primers, an amplification product of about 580 bp was detected by electrophoresis.

This amplification product was extracted from the electrophoretic gel, purified, inserted in the Srf I cleavage site of plasmid vector pCR-Script (manufactured by Stratagene), and cloned. Plasmid DNA was purified from each clone and its base sequence was determined. One of the clones, pCR-5P2, had a cDNA insert of 501 bp beginning with ATG, next to the sequence of the anchor oligomer. The base sequence of the insert extending from base number 315 onward coincided exactly with the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 extending from base number 45 (the initiation site of exon 2) onward, excepting one base which will be mentioned below. Furthermore, as far as the reading frame is concerned, that of pCR-5P2 beginning with the first ATG corresponded with the polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of SEQ ID NO:7. The N-terminal region of the polypeptide sequence thus obtained encoded a signal peptide comprising a series of hydrophobic amino acids.

RT-PCR was performed in order to confirm that the above 5'-terminal sequence obtained by 5'-RACE was truly linked, on mRNA, to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 extending from base number 45 onward. Using random hexamers as primers, single-stranded cDNAs were synthesized from poly A(+) RNAs derived from human brain, fetal brain, ovary and testis (manufactured by Clontech). Then, the cDNA template were amplified by PCR using an oligomer (SGN013) having the first 20-base sequence of pCR-5P2 as a sense primer and SGN011 or SGN012 as an antisense primer. As a result, the expected amplification product (about 500 bp for SGN013/SGN011 and about 750 bp for SGN013/SGN012) was detected by electrophoresis with every tissue RNA used.

Thus, it was confirmed that the 5'-terminal sequence of pCR-5P2 obtained by 5'-RACE was linked, on mRNA, to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 extending from base number 45 onward, resulting in the construction of a cDNA represented by SEQ ID NO:8. The open reading frame of the cDNA of SEQ ID NO:8 encodes an MDC protein composed of 769 amino acids (see SEQ ID NO:4).

The sequences of the specific oligomers used are as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         SGN011 5'-GATGTAAGTCAAGTTCCCATCAGAGA-3'                                               (SEQ ID NO: 16)                                                                (antisense strand, corresponding to base                                       numbers 231-206 in SEQ ID NO: 7)                                        SGN012 5'-AACAGCTGGTGGTCGTTGATCACAA-3'                                                (SEQ ID NO: 17)                                                                (antisense strand, corresponding to base                                       numbers 485-461 in SEQ ID NO: 7)                                        SGN013 5'-ATGAGGCTGCTGCGGCGCTG-3'                                                     (SEQ ID NO: 18)                                                                (coding strand, corresponding to base                                          numbers 1-20 in SEQ ID NO: 8)                                           ______________________________________                                    

The above-mentioned one base in the SEQ ID NO:8 after the initiation site of exon 2, differing from one in the SEQ ID NO:6 or SEQ ID NO:7, is the fourth base from the initiation site of exon 2, i.e., the C at the base number 318 in the SEQ ID NO:8. The corresponding base in the SEQ ID NO:6 or the SEQ ID NO:7 is the base A at the base number 48. The base C at the base number 318 in the SEQ ID NO:8 codes His at the amino acid number 106 in the SEQ ID NO:4. The base A at the base number 48 in the SEQ ID NO:6 or the SEQ ID NO:7 codes Gln at the amino acid number 7 in the SEQ ID NO:2 or the SEQ ID NO:3. This fact reflects polymorphism.

An amino acid sequence common to these three variant MDC proteins (SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3 and SEQ ID NO:4) is a sequence composed of 488 amino acids (see SEQ ID NO:1), and a DNA sequence encoding this portion is also a common sequence (see SEQ ID NO:5).

Example 11

Homology with known proteins

The amino acid sequences of MDC proteins showed homology with a family of snake venom hemorrhagic proteins including HR1B (Takeya et al., J. Biol. Chem., 265, 16068-16073, 1990), prorhodostomin (Au et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 181, 585-593, 1991) and protrigramin (Neeper et al., Nucleic Acid Res., 18, 4255, 1990).

They also showed homology with the guinea pig sperm surface protein PH30 (Blobel et al., Nature, 356, 248-252, 1992) and the rat or monkey epididymis protein EAPI (Perry et al., Biochem. J., 286, 671-675, 1992).

The homology of these proteins with the MDC proteins represented by SEQ ID NO:2 (524 amino acids) and SEQ ID NO:4 (769 amino acids) is indicated by the following "percent identity/number of amino acids in the tested region". The values for SEQ ID NO:2 are given on the left side and those for SEQ ID NO:4 on the right side.

    ______________________________________                                         HR1B             32.5/335 32.2/379                                             prorhodostomin   29.0/420 29.0/420                                             protrigramin     27.7/430 28.1/438                                             PH30b            38.1/147 30.8/302                                             EAP1 (rat)       36.0/364 33.1/475                                             EAP1 (monkey)    30.4/503 29.9/599                                             ______________________________________                                    

Example 12

Generation of transformants

A DNA fragment encoding a part of the MDC protein represented by SEQ ID NO:2 was amplified from the DNA (SEQ ID NO:6) encoding the MDC protein (SEQ ID NO:2) by PCR using primers SGN006 and SGN008. The sequences of the primers used are as follows.

    ______________________________________                                         SGN006 5'-CACAGATCTGGGGGCATATGCTCCCTG-3'                                              (SEQ ID NO: 19)                                                                (coding strand, corresponding to base                                          numbers 766-783 in SEQ ID NO: 6)                                        SGN008 5'-AACAAGCTTCTACTGATGTCTCCCACC-3'                                              (SEQ IDNO: 20)                                                                 (antisense strand, corresponding to base                                       numbers 1602-1585 in SEQ ID NO: 6; the                                         underline designating a termination codon.)                             ______________________________________                                    

For purposes of vector construction, the 5'-terminal of these primers are provided with Bgl II and Hind Ill cleavage site sequences, respectively.

The PCR amplification product was separated by agarose gel electrophoresis and cleaved with Bgl II and Hind III. The resulting DNA fragments encoding a part of the MDC protein was combined with vector pMAL-c2 (manufactured by New England Biolabs) which had previously been cleaved with Bam HI and Hind III to construct plasmid pMAL-MDC(C1).

Similarly, the same DNA fragment was combined with vector pQE-13 (manufactured by Diagen) which had previously been cleaved with Bam HI and Hind III to construct plasmid pH6-MDC(C1).

Furthermore, a DNA sequence downstream from the Bam HI cleavage site (base number 1483 in SEQ ID NO:6) was removed from the MDC protein encoding region of pMAL-MDC(C1) by cleaving pMAL-MDC(C1) with Bam HI and Hind III, and recombining it after the formation of blunt ends. This resulted in the construction of plasmid pMAL-MDC(dC1), which mediates expression of a polypeptide with an amino acid sequence common to two variant MDC proteins (SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3).

Since the fragment incorporated into vector pMAL-c2 is expressed as a fusion protein having a maltose-binding protein (MBP) on the N-terminal side, this fusion protein was purified by affinity chromatography using an amylose column. On the other hand, since the fragment incorporated into vector pQE-13 is expressed as a fusion protein having a peptide (His 6) composed of six histidine residues on the N-terminal side, this fusion protein was purified by affinity chromatography using a metal chelate column.

Several transformants were obtained by transforming E. coli JM109 with each of plasmids pMAL-MDC(C1), pMAL-MDC(dC1) and pH6-MDC(C1) and selecting for ampicillin resistance.

Example 13

Expression and purification of recombinant MDC proteins

Each of the transformants obtained in Example 12 was grown and the resulting recombinant MDC fusion protein was extracted and purified from the culture.

Specifically, 100 ml of LB medium (1% polypeptone, 0.5% yeast extract, 1% NaCl) was inoculated with each transformant and incubated overnight at 37° C. with shaking. The culture was diluted 10-fold with LB medium previously warmed to 37° C. and incubated for additional 30-90 minutes to obtain a culture in the logarithmic growth phase. To 1 liter of the culture was added IPTG (isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside) so as to give a final concentration of 1 mM. This culture was incubated for 3-4 hours and then centrifuged to collect the cells therefrom.

In the case of a transformant of plasmid pMAL-MDC(C1) or pMAL-MDC(dC1), the cells were suspended in 10 ml of a column buffer (20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 200 mM NaCl) and disintegrated by sonication. Since the recombinant MDC fusion protein was present in the insoluble fraction of the disintegrated cell suspension, this was separated by centrifugation and dissolved in a denaturing buffer (8M urea, 20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.5, 10 mM dithiothreitol). Then, this solution was dialyzed against the column buffer and centrifuged to collect a supernatant soluble fraction. The dialyzed insoluble fraction was further denatured, dialyzed and centrifuged repeatedly to collect additional supernatant soluble fractions. The combined soluble fraction was applied to an amylose column (manufactured by New England Biolabs), which was washed with the column buffer and eluted with the column buffer containing 10 mM maltose. The eluted fractions were analyzed by absorptiometry at 280 nm and SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis (with Coomassie Blue staining), and combined into fractions. As a result, a fraction in which the desired MBP (maltose binding protein) fusion protein (about 68 Kd) was detected as a principal band was obtained for each of the transformants generated with plasmids pMAL-MDC(C1) and pMAL-MDC(dC1). The yield was 46.4 mg and 10.0 mg (when an OD₂₈₀ of 1 was taken as 1 mg/ml), respectively. These fusion proteins will hereinafter be referred to as MBP-MDC(C1) and MBP-MDC(dC1), respectively.

Similarly, in the case of a transformant of plasmid pH6-MDC(C1), the cells were suspended in 10 ml of a sonication buffer (10 mM sodium phosphate, pH 8.0, 200 mM NaCl) and disintegrated by sonication. Since the recombinant MDC fusion protein was present in the insoluble fraction of the disintegrated cell suspension, this was separated by centrifugation and dissolved in buffer A (6M guanidine hydrochloride, 100 mM NaH₂ PO₄, 10 mM Tris-HCl, PH 8.0). Then, this solution was centrifuged to collect a supernatant soluble fraction, which was applied to a Ni-NTA column (manufactured by Diagen). This column was washed with buffer A and then buffer B (8M urea, 100 mM NaH₂ PO₄, 10 mM Trim-HCl, pH 8.0), and eluted stepwise with buffer C (8M urea, 100 mM NaH₂ PO₄, 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 6.3), buffer D (8M urea, 100 mM NaH₂ PO₄, 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 5.9), buffer E (8M urea, 100 mM NaH₂ PO₄, 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 4.5) and buffer F (6M guanidine hydrochloride, 200 mM acetic acid). The eluted fractions were analyzed by absorptiometry at 280 nm and SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis (with Coomassie Blue staining), and combined into fractions. As a result, a fraction in which the desired His6 fusion protein (about 34 Kd) was detected as a single band was obtained from the effluent resulting from elution with buffer F. The yield was 51.9 mg (when an OD₂₈₀ of 1 was taken as 1 mg/ml). This fusion protein will hereinafter be referred to as His6-MDC(C1).

Example 14

Preparation of a monoclonal antibody and a rabbit polyclonal antibody

The three recombinant fusion proteins, His6-MDC(C1), MBP-MDC(dC1) and MBP-MDC(C1), obtained in Example 13 were used as an immunizing antigen, an antigen for antibody purification and screening, and a standard antigen for measurement, respectively.

An anti-MDC protein specific monoclonal antibody was prepared by immunizing a mouse with His6-MDC(C1). Specifically, a solution of His6-MDC(C1) (500-1000 μg/ml) in 3M urea/PBS was mixed with a complete adjuvant at a ratio of 1:1, and this mixture was injected into the peritoneal cavity of a mouse at a dose of 100 μg per animal. This injection was repeated 4-6 times at intervals of 2 weeks. After completion of the immunization, hybridomas were produced by fusing P3U1 cells with B cells in the presence of PEG1500. Then, hybridomas productive of an anti-MDC protein specific antibody were selected by monitoring the antibody titer in the culture supernatant.

In order to measure the antibody titer, a first reaction was effected by adding 100 μl of the culture supernatant to a polystyrene cup having a solid phase formed from the MBP-MDC(dC1) fusion protein obtained in Example 13 (5 μg/ml). After washing, a second reaction was effected by the addition of anti-mouse IgG HRP (horse-raddish peroxidase). After washing, a color reaction (third reaction) was effected by the addition of an enzyme substrate solution [i.e., a mixed solution of hydrogen peroxide and ABTS [2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)]], and the produced color was monitored.

The hybridomas were grown on a 96-well multi-plate and screened by means of HAT medium. After about 2 weeks, clones reacting specifically with the antigen were selected by measuring the antibody titer in the culture supernatant. As a result of further cloning, 3 clones (G1-5A2-2C8, G2-2F2-3D11 and G2-2D10-3F5) were established as antibody-producing hybridomas. The class and subclass of the antibody produced by each of the established clones was IgG₁ for G1-5A2-2C8, IgG₂₀ for G2-2F2-3D11, and IgM for G2-2D10-3F5. 3,000,000 cells of each hybridoma were introduced into the peritoneal cavity of a BALB/c mouse to which 0.5 ml of pristane had been administered intraperitoneally about one week before. After 8-10 days, the ascites was collected. From the ascites collected from each animal, an antibody was purified by affinity chromatography using a protein G column.

Similarly, an anti-MDC protein polyclonal antibody was prepared by immunizing a rabbit with an immunizing antigen comprising His6-MDD(C1) obtained in Example 13.

Specifically, like the mouse, a rabbit was immunized with a mixture prepared by mixing a solution of His6-MDC(C1) (500-1000 μg/ml) in 3M urea/PBS with a complete adjuvant at a ratio of 1:1. After completion of the immunization, an antiserum was obtained and its antibody titer was measured using a polystyrene cup having a solid phase formed from the MBP-MDC(dC1) fusion protein obtained in Example 13. The antiserum was diluted 500- to 64,000-fold, 100 μl each of the dilutions were added to wells, and their antibody titers were tested with goat anti-rabbit IgG-HRP. Thus, the antibody titer was detectable up to the 64,000-fold dilution. Since no antibody reacting with MBP-MDC(dC1) was present in the serum before immunization, it could be confirmed that an antibody reacting specifically with the protein was produced. Furthermore, this antiserum was purified by affinity chromatography using a protein G column and a Sepharose column having the MBP-MDC(dC1) fusion protein immobilized therein.

A method for the determination of the MDC protein by ELISA using the purified monoclonal antibody and purified rabbit polyclonal antibody obtained in the above-described manner was established.

Specifically, the purified monoclonal antibody derived from a hybridoma (G2-2F2-3D11) was immobilized on a 96-well plate and blocked with BSA (bovine serum albumin). Test solutions containing purified MBP-MDC(C1) at concentrations of 0.156 to 5.00 μg/ml were prepared, added to wells in an amount of 100 μl per well, and reacted at room temperature for an hour. After the wells were washed, a solution (5 μg/ml) of the purified rabbit polyclonal antibody was added in an amount of 100 μl per well and reacted at room temperature for an hour. After the wells were washed, anti-rabbit IgG-HRP (5 μg/ml) was added in an amount of 100 μl per well and reacted at room temperature for an hour. After completion of the reaction, 2 mM sodium azide was added in an amount of 100 μl per well and the absorbances at 405 nm and 490 nm were measured. It was confirmed that the differential absorbances thus obtained were closely correlated with the concentrations of the test solutions, exhibiting an approximately linear relationship in the range of 0 to 2.5 μg/ml (see FIG. 8). This indicates that ELISA using these monoclonal antibody and rabbit polyclonal antibody can be used as a method for the determination of the MDC protein.

    __________________________________________________________________________     SEQUENCE LISTING                                                               (1) GENERAL INFORMATION:                                                       (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 20                                                  (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 1:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 488 amino acids                                                    (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                                    (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:                                                          (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens                                                     (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                        (A) LIBRARY: human fetal brain cDNA library                                    (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 1:                                       LeuLeuSerSerGlnTyrValGluArgHisPheSerArgGluGlyThr                               151015                                                                         ThrGlnHisSerThrGlyAlaGlyAspHisCysTyrTyrGlnGlyLys                               202530                                                                         LeuArgGlyAsnProHisSerPheAlaAlaLeuSerThrCysGlnGly                               354045                                                                         LeuHisGlyValPheSerAspGlyAsnLeuThrTyrIleValGluPro                               505560                                                                         GlnGluValAlaGlyProTrpGlyAlaProGlnGlyProLeuProHis                               65707580                                                                       LeuIleTyrArgThrProLeuLeuProAspProLeuGlyCysArgGlu                               859095                                                                         ProGlyCysLeuPheAlaValProAlaGlnSerAlaProProAsnArg                               100105110                                                                      ProArgLeuArgArgLysArgGlnValArgArgGlyHisProThrVal                               115120125                                                                      HisSerGluThrLysTyrValGluLeuIleValIleAsnAspHisGln                               130135140                                                                      LeuPheGluGlnMetArgGlnSerValValLeuThrSerAsnPheAla                               145150155160                                                                   LysSerValValAsnLeuAlaAspValIleTyrLysGluGlnLeuAsn                               165170175                                                                      ThrArgIleValLeuValAlaMetGluThrTrpAlaAspGlyAspLys                               180185190                                                                      IleGlnValGlnAspAspLeuLeuGluThrLeuAlaArgLeuMetVal                               195200205                                                                      TyrArgArgGluGlyLeuProGluProSerAsnAlaThrHisLeuPhe                               210215220                                                                      SerGlyArgThrPheGlnSerThrSerSerGlyAlaAlaTyrValGly                               225230235240                                                                   GlyIleCysSerLeuSerHisGlyGlyGlyValAsnGluTyrGlyAsn                               245250255                                                                      MetGlyAlaMetAlaValThrLeuAlaGlnThrLeuGlyGlnAsnLeu                               260265270                                                                      GlyMetMetTrpAsnLysHisArgSerSerAlaGlyAspCysLysCys                               275280285                                                                      ProAspIleTrpLeuGlyCysIleMetGluAspThrGlyPheTyrLeu                               290295300                                                                      ProArgLysPheSerArgCysSerIleAspGluTyrAsnGlnPheLeu                               305310315320                                                                   GlnGluGlyGlyGlySerCysLeuPheAsnLysProLeuLysLeuLeu                               325330335                                                                      AspProProGluCysGlyAsnGlyPheValGluAlaGlyGluGluCys                               340345350                                                                      AspCysGlySerValGlnGluCysSerArgAlaGlyGlyAsnCysCys                               355360365                                                                      LysLysCysThrLeuThrHisAspAlaMetCysSerAspGlyLeuCys                               370375380                                                                      CysArgArgCysLysTyrGluProArgGlyValSerCysArgGluAla                               385390395400                                                                   ValAsnGluCysAspIleAlaGluThrCysThrGlyAspSerSerGln                               405410415                                                                      CysProProAsnLeuHisLysLeuAspGlyTyrTyrCysAspHisGlu                               420425430                                                                      GlnGlyArgCysTyrGlyGlyArgCysLysThrArgAspArgGlnCys                               435440445                                                                      GlnValLeuTrpGlyHisAlaAlaAlaAspArgPheCysTyrGluLys                               450455460                                                                      LeuAsnValGluGlyThrGluArgGlySerCysGlyArgLysGlySer                               465470475480                                                                   GlyTrpValGlnCysSerLysGln                                                       485488                                                                         (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 2:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 524 amino acids                                                    (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                                    (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:                                                          (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens                                                     (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                        (A) LIBRARY: human fetal brain cDNA library                                    (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 2:                                       MetCysTrpLeuSerHisGlnLeuLeuSerSerGlnTyrValGluArg                               151015                                                                         HisPheSerArgGluGlyThrThrGlnHisSerThrGlyAlaGlyAsp                               202530                                                                         HisCysTyrTyrGlnGlyLysLeuArgGlyAsnProHisSerPheAla                               354045                                                                         AlaLeuSerThrCysGlnGlyLeuHisGlyValPheSerAspGlyAsn                               505560                                                                         LeuThrTyrIleValGluProGlnGluValAlaGlyProTrpGlyAla                               65707580                                                                       ProGlnGlyProLeuProHisLeuIleTyrArgThrProLeuLeuPro                               859095                                                                         AspProLeuGlyCysArgGluProGlyCysLeuPheAlaValProAla                               100105110                                                                      GlnSerAlaProProAsnArgProArgLeuArgArgLysArgGlnVal                               115120125                                                                      ArgArgGlyHisProThrValHisSerGluThrLysTyrValGluLeu                               130135140                                                                      IleValIleAsnAspHisGlnLeuPheGluGlnMetArgGlnSerVal                               145150155160                                                                   ValLeuThrSerAsnPheAlaLysSerValValAsnLeuAlaAspVal                               165170175                                                                      IleTyrLysGluGlnLeuAsnThrArgIleValLeuValAlaMetGlu                               180185190                                                                      ThrTrpAlaAspGlyAspLysIleGlnValGlnAspAspLeuLeuGlu                               195200205                                                                      ThrLeuAlaArgLeuMetValTyrArgArgGluGlyLeuProGluPro                               210215220                                                                      SerAsnAlaThrHisLeuPheSerGlyArgThrPheGlnSerThrSer                               225230235240                                                                   SerGlyAlaAlaTyrValGlyGlyIleCysSerLeuSerHisGlyGly                               245250255                                                                      GlyValAsnGluTyrGlyAsnMetGlyAlaMetAlaValThrLeuAla                               260265270                                                                      GlnThrLeuGlyGlnAsnLeuGlyMetMetTrpAsnLysHisArgSer                               275280285                                                                      SerAlaGlyAspCysLysCysProAspIleTrpLeuGlyCysIleMet                               290295300                                                                      GluAspThrGlyPheTyrLeuProArgLysPheSerArgCysSerIle                               305310315320                                                                   AspGluTyrAsnGlnPheLeuGlnGluGlyGlyGlySerCysLeuPhe                               325330335                                                                      AsnLysProLeuLysLeuLeuAspProProGluCysGlyAsnGlyPhe                               340345350                                                                      ValGluAlaGlyGluGluCysAspCysGlySerValGlnGluCysSer                               355360365                                                                      ArgAlaGlyGlyAsnCysCysLysLysCysThrLeuThrHisAspAla                               370375380                                                                      MetCysSerAspGlyLeuCysCysArgArgCysLysTyrGluProArg                               385390395400                                                                   GlyValSerCysArgGluAlaValAsnGluCysAspIleAlaGluThr                               405410415                                                                      CysThrGlyAspSerSerGlnCysProProAsnLeuHisLysLeuAsp                               420425430                                                                      GlyTyrTyrCysAspHisGluGlnGlyArgCysTyrGlyGlyArgCys                               435440445                                                                      LysThrArgAspArgGlnCysGlnValLeuTrpGlyHisAlaAlaAla                               450455460                                                                      AspArgPheCysTyrGluLysLeuAsnValGluGlyThrGluArgGly                               465470475480                                                                   SerCysGlyArgLysGlySerGlyTrpValGlnCysSerLysGlnPro                               485490495                                                                      GlnGlnGlyArgAlaValTrpLeuProProLeuCysGlnHisLeuTrp                               500505510                                                                      SerSerSerAlaArgGlyProGlyGlyArgHisGln                                           515520524                                                                      (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 3:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 670 amino acids                                                    (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                                    (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:                                                          (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens                                                     (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                        (A) LIBRARY: human fetal brain cDNA library                                    (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 3:                                       MetCysTrpLeuSerHisGlnLeuLeuSerSerGlnTyrValGluArg                               151015                                                                         HisPheSerArgGluGlyThrThrGlnHisSerThrGlyAlaGlyAsp                               202530                                                                         HisCysTyrTyrGlnGlyLysLeuArgGlyAsnProHisSerPheAla                               354045                                                                         AlaLeuSerThrCysGlnGlyLeuHisGlyValPheSerAspGlyAsn                               505560                                                                         LeuThrTyrIleValGluProGlnGluValAlaGlyProTrpGlyAla                               65707580                                                                       ProGlnGlyProLeuProHisLeuIleTyrArgThrProLeuLeuPro                               859095                                                                         AspProLeuGlyCysArgGluProGlyCysLeuPheAlaValProAla                               100105110                                                                      GlnSerAlaProProAsnArgProArgLeuArgArgLysArgGlnVal                               115120125                                                                      ArgArgGlyHisProThrValHisSerGluThrLysTyrValGluLeu                               130135140                                                                      IleValIleAsnAspHisGlnLeuPheGluGlnMetArgGlnSerVal                               145150155160                                                                   ValLeuThrSerAsnPheAlaLysSerValValAsnLeuAlaAspVal                               165170175                                                                      IleTyrLysGluGlnLeuAsnThrArgIleValLeuValAlaMetGlu                               180185190                                                                      ThrTrpAlaAspGlyAspLysIleGlnValGlnAspAspLeuLeuGlu                               195200205                                                                      ThrLeuAlaArgLeuMetValTyrArgArgGluGlyLeuProGluPro                               210215220                                                                      SerAsnAlaThrHisLeuPheSerGlyArgThrPheGlnSerThrSer                               225230235240                                                                   SerGlyAlaAlaTyrValGlyGlyIleCysSerLeuSerHisGlyGly                               245250255                                                                      GlyValAsnGluTyrGlyAsnMetGlyAlaMetAlaValThrLeuAla                               260265270                                                                      GlnThrLeuGlyGlnAsnLeuGlyMetMetTrpAsnLysHisArgSer                               275280285                                                                      SerAlaGlyAspCysLysCysProAspIleTrpLeuGlyCysIleMet                               290295300                                                                      GluAspThrGlyPheTyrLeuProArgLysPheSerArgCysSerIle                               305310315320                                                                   AspGluTyrAsnGlnPheLeuGlnGluGlyGlyGlySerCysLeuPhe                               325330335                                                                      AsnLysProLeuLysLeuLeuAspProProGluCysGlyAsnGlyPhe                               340345350                                                                      ValGluAlaGlyGluGluCysAspCysGlySerValGlnGluCysSer                               355360365                                                                      ArgAlaGlyGlyAsnCysCysLysLysCysThrLeuThrHisAspAla                               370375380                                                                      MetCysSerAspGlyLeuCysCysArgArgCysLysTyrGluProArg                               385390395400                                                                   GlyValSerCysArgGluAlaValAsnGluCysAspIleAlaGluThr                               405410415                                                                      CysThrGlyAspSerSerGlnCysProProAsnLeuHisLysLeuAsp                               420425430                                                                      GlyTyrTyrCysAspHisGluGlnGlyArgCysTyrGlyGlyArgCys                               435440445                                                                      LysThrArgAspArgGlnCysGlnValLeuTrpGlyHisAlaAlaAla                               450455460                                                                      AspArgPheCysTyrGluLysLeuAsnValGluGlyThrGluArgGly                               465470475480                                                                   SerCysGlyArgLysGlySerGlyTrpValGlnCysSerLysGlnAsp                               485490495                                                                      ValLeuCysGlyPheLeuLeuCysValAsnIleSerGlyAlaProArg                               500505510                                                                      LeuGlyAspLeuValGlyAspIleSerSerValThrPheTyrHisGln                               515520525                                                                      GlyLysGluLeuAspCysArgGlyGlyHisValGlnLeuAlaAspGly                               530535540                                                                      SerAspLeuSerTyrValGluAspGlyThrAlaCysGlyProAsnMet                               545550555560                                                                   LeuCysLeuAspHisArgCysLeuProAlaSerAlaPheAsnPheSer                               565570575                                                                      ThrCysProGlySerGlyGluArgArgIleCysSerHisHisGlyVal                               580585590                                                                      CysSerAsnGluGlyLysCysIleCysGlnProAspTrpThrGlyLys                               595600605                                                                      AspCysSerIleHisAsnProLeuProThrSerProProThrGlyGlu                               610615620                                                                      ThrGluArgTyrLysGlyProSerGlyThrAsnIleIleIleGlySer                               625630635640                                                                   IleAlaGlyAlaValLeuValAlaAlaIleValLeuGlyGlyThrGly                               645650655                                                                      TrpGlyPheLysAsnIleArgArgGlyArgSerGlyGlyAla                                     660665670                                                                      (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 4:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 769 amino acids                                                    (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                                    (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:                                                          (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens                                                     (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                        (A) LIBRARY: human fetal brain cDNA library                                    (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 4:                                       MetArgLeuLeuArgArgTrpAlaPheAlaAlaLeuLeuLeuSerLeu                               151015                                                                         LeuProThrProGlyLeuGlyThrGlnGlyProAlaGlyAlaLeuArg                               202530                                                                         TrpGlyGlyLeuProGlnLeuGlyGlyProGlyAlaProGluValThr                               354045                                                                         GluProSerArgLeuValArgGluSerSerGlyGlyGluValArgLys                               505560                                                                         GlnGlnLeuAspThrArgValArgGlnGluProProGlyGlyProPro                               65707580                                                                       ValHisLeuAlaGlnValSerPheValIleProAlaPheAsnSerAsn                               859095                                                                         PheThrLeuAspLeuGluLeuAsnHisHisLeuLeuSerSerGlnTyr                               100105110                                                                      ValGluArgHisPheSerArgGluGlyThrThrGlnHisSerThrGly                               115120125                                                                      AlaGlyAspHisCysTyrTyrGlnGlyLysLeuArgGlyAsnProHis                               130135140                                                                      SerPheAlaAlaLeuSerThrCysGlnGlyLeuHisGlyValPheSer                               145150155160                                                                   AspGlyAsnLeuThrTyrIleValGluProGlnGluValAlaGlyPro                               165170175                                                                      TrpGlyAlaProGlnGlyProLeuProHisLeuIleTyrArgThrPro                               180185190                                                                      LeuLeuProAspProLeuGlyCysArgGluProGlyCysLeuPheAla                               195200205                                                                      ValProAlaGlnSerAlaProProAsnArgProArgLeuArgArgLys                               210215220                                                                      ArgGlnValArgArgGlyHisProThrValHisSerGluThrLysTyr                               225230235240                                                                   ValGluLeuIleValIleAsnAspHisGlnLeuPheGluGlnMetArg                               245250255                                                                      GlnSerValValLeuThrSerAsnPheAlaLysSerValValAsnLeu                               260265270                                                                      AlaAspValIleTyrLysGluGlnLeuAsnThrArgIleValLeuVal                               275280285                                                                      AlaMetGluThrTrpAlaAspGlyAspLysIleGlnValGlnAspAsp                               290295300                                                                      LeuLeuGluThrLeuAlaArgLeuMetValTyrArgArgGluGlyLeu                               305310315320                                                                   ProGluProSerAsnAlaThrHisLeuPheSerGlyArgThrPheGln                               325330335                                                                      SerThrSerSerGlyAlaAlaTyrValGlyGlyIleCysSerLeuSer                               340345350                                                                      HisGlyGlyGlyValAsnGluTyrGlyAsnMetGlyAlaMetAlaVal                               355360365                                                                      ThrLeuAlaGlnThrLeuGlyGlnAsnLeuGlyMetMetTrpAsnLys                               370375380                                                                      HisArgSerSerAlaGlyAspCysLysCysProAspIleTrpLeuGly                               385390395400                                                                   CysIleMetGluAspThrGlyPheTyrLeuProArgLysPheSerArg                               405410415                                                                      CysSerIleAspGluTyrAsnGlnPheLeuGlnGluGlyGlyGlySer                               420425430                                                                      CysLeuPheAsnLysProLeuLysLeuLeuAspProProGluCysGly                               435440445                                                                      AsnGlyPheValGluAlaGlyGluGluCysAspCysGlySerValGln                               450455460                                                                      GluCysSerArgAlaGlyGlyAsnCysCysLysLysCysThrLeuThr                               465470475480                                                                   HisAspAlaMetCysSerAspGlyLeuCysCysArgArgCysLysTyr                               485490495                                                                      GluProArgGlyValSerCysArgGluAlaValAsnGluCysAspIle                               500505510                                                                      AlaGluThrCysThrGlyAspSerSerGlnCysProProAsnLeuHis                               515520525                                                                      LysLeuAspGlyTyrTyrCysAspHisGluGlnGlyArgCysTyrGly                               530535540                                                                      GlyArgCysLysThrArgAspArgGlnCysGlnValLeuTrpGlyHis                               545550555560                                                                   AlaAlaAlaAspArgPheCysTyrGluLysLeuAsnValGluGlyThr                               565570575                                                                      GluArgGlySerCysGlyArgLysGlySerGlyTrpValGlnCysSer                               580585590                                                                      LysGlnAspValLeuCysGlyPheLeuLeuCysValAsnIleSerGly                               595600605                                                                      AlaProArgLeuGlyAspLeuValGlyAspIleSerSerValThrPhe                               610615620                                                                      TyrHisGlnGlyLysGluLeuAspCysArgGlyGlyHisValGlnLeu                               625630635640                                                                   AlaAspGlySerAspLeuSerTyrValGluAspGlyThrAlaCysGly                               645650655                                                                      ProAsnMetLeuCysLeuAspHisArgCysLeuProAlaSerAlaPhe                               660665670                                                                      AsnPheSerThrCysProGlySerGlyGluArgArgIleCysSerHis                               675680685                                                                      HisGlyValCysSerAsnGluGlyLysCysIleCysGlnProAspTrp                               690695700                                                                      ThrGlyLysAspCysSerIleHisAsnProLeuProThrSerProPro                               705710715720                                                                   ThrGlyGluThrGluArgTyrLysGlyProSerGlyThrAsnIleIle                               725730735                                                                      IleGlySerIleAlaGlyAlaValLeuValAlaAlaIleValLeuGly                               740745750                                                                      GlyThrGlyTrpGlyPheLysAsnIleArgArgGlyArgSerGlyGly                               755760765                                                                      Ala                                                                            769                                                                            (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 5:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 1464 base pairs                                                    (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: double                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA to mRNA                                               (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:                                                          (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens                                                     (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                        (A) LIBRARY: human fetal brain cDNA library                                    (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: CDS                                                              (B) LOCATION: 1..1464                                                          (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 5:                                       CTCCTCTCCTCGCAATACGTGGAGCGCCACTTCAGCCGGGAGGGGACA48                             LeuLeuSerSerGlnTyrValGluArgHisPheSerArgGluGlyThr                               151015                                                                         ACCCAGCACAGCACCGGGGCTGGAGACCACTGCTACTACCAGGGGAAG96                             ThrGlnHisSerThrGlyAlaGlyAspHisCysTyrTyrGlnGlyLys                               202530                                                                         CTCCGGGGGAACCCGCACTCCTTCGCCGCCCTCTCCACCTGCCAGGGG144                            LeuArgGlyAsnProHisSerPheAlaAlaLeuSerThrCysGlnGly                               354045                                                                         CTGCATGGGGTCTTCTCTGATGGGAACTTGACTTACATCGTGGAGCCC192                            LeuHisGlyValPheSerAspGlyAsnLeuThrTyrIleValGluPro                               505560                                                                         CAAGAGGTGGCTGGACCTTGGGGAGCCCCTCAGGGACCCCTTCCCCAC240                            GlnGluValAlaGlyProTrpGlyAlaProGlnGlyProLeuProHis                               65707580                                                                       CTCATTTACCGGACCCCTCTCCTCCCAGATCCCCTCGGATGCAGGGAA288                            LeuIleTyrArgThrProLeuLeuProAspProLeuGlyCysArgGlu                               859095                                                                         CCAGGCTGCCTGTTTGCTGTGCCTGCCCAGTCGGCTCCTCCAAACCGG336                            ProGlyCysLeuPheAlaValProAlaGlnSerAlaProProAsnArg                               100105110                                                                      CCGAGGCTGAGAAGGAAAAGGCAGGTCCGCCGGGGCCACCCTACAGTG384                            ProArgLeuArgArgLysArgGlnValArgArgGlyHisProThrVal                               115120125                                                                      CACAGTGAAACCAAGTATGTGGAGCTAATTGTGATCAACGACCACCAG432                            HisSerGluThrLysTyrValGluLeuIleValIleAsnAspHisGln                               130135140                                                                      CTGTTCGAGCAGATGCGACAGTCGGTGGTCCTCACCAGCAACTTTGCC480                            LeuPheGluGlnMetArgGlnSerValValLeuThrSerAsnPheAla                               145150155160                                                                   AAGTCCGTGGTGAACCTGGCCGATGTGATATACAAGGAGCAGCTCAAC528                            LysSerValValAsnLeuAlaAspValIleTyrLysGluGlnLeuAsn                               165170175                                                                      ACTCGCATCGTCCTGGTTGCCATGGAAACATGGGCAGATGGGGACAAG576                            ThrArgIleValLeuValAlaMetGluThrTrpAlaAspGlyAspLys                               180185190                                                                      ATCCAGGTGCAGGATGACCTCCTGGAGACCCTGGCCCGGCTCATGGTC624                            IleGlnValGlnAspAspLeuLeuGluThrLeuAlaArgLeuMetVal                               195200205                                                                      TACCGACGGGAGGGTCTGCCTGAGCCCAGTAATGCCACCCACCTCTTC672                            TyrArgArgGluGlyLeuProGluProSerAsnAlaThrHisLeuPhe                               210215220                                                                      TCGGGCAGGACCTTCCAGAGCACGAGCAGCGGGGCAGCCTACGTGGGG720                            SerGlyArgThrPheGlnSerThrSerSerGlyAlaAlaTyrValGly                               225230235240                                                                   GGCATATGCTCCCTGTCCCATGGCGGGGGTGTGAACGAGTACGGCAAC768                            GlyIleCysSerLeuSerHisGlyGlyGlyValAsnGluTyrGlyAsn                               245250255                                                                      ATGGGGGCGATGGCCGTGACCCTTGCCCAGACGCTGGGACAGAACCTG816                            MetGlyAlaMetAlaValThrLeuAlaGlnThrLeuGlyGlnAsnLeu                               260265270                                                                      GGCATGATGTGGAACAAACACCGGAGCTCGGCAGGGGACTGCAAGTGT864                            GlyMetMetTrpAsnLysHisArgSerSerAlaGlyAspCysLysCys                               275280285                                                                      CCAGACATCTGGCTGGGCTGCATCATGGAGGACACTGGGTTCTACCTG912                            ProAspIleTrpLeuGlyCysIleMetGluAspThrGlyPheTyrLeu                               290295300                                                                      CCCCGCAAGTTCTCTCGCTGCAGCATCGACGAGTACAACCAGTTTCTG960                            ProArgLysPheSerArgCysSerIleAspGluTyrAsnGlnPheLeu                               305310315320                                                                   CAGGAGGGTGGTGGCAGCTGCCTCTTCAACAAGCCCCTCAAGCTCCTG1008                           GlnGluGlyGlyGlySerCysLeuPheAsnLysProLeuLysLeuLeu                               325330335                                                                      GACCCCCCAGAGTGCGGGAACGGCTTCGTGGAGGCAGGGGAGGAGTGC1056                           AspProProGluCysGlyAsnGlyPheValGluAlaGlyGluGluCys                               340345350                                                                      GACTGCGGCTCGGTGCAGGAGTGCAGCCGCGCAGGTGGCAACTGCTGC1104                           AspCysGlySerValGlnGluCysSerArgAlaGlyGlyAsnCysCys                               355360365                                                                      AAGAAATGCACCCTGACTCACGACGCCATGTGCAGCGACGGGCTCTGC1152                           LysLysCysThrLeuThrHisAspAlaMetCysSerAspGlyLeuCys                               370375380                                                                      TGTCGCCGCTGCAAGTACGAACCACGGGGTGTGTCCTGCCGAGAGGCC1200                           CysArgArgCysLysTyrGluProArgGlyValSerCysArgGluAla                               385390395400                                                                   GTGAACGAGTGCGACATCGCGGAGACCTGCACCGGGGACTCTAGCCAG1248                           ValAsnGluCysAspIleAlaGluThrCysThrGlyAspSerSerGln                               405410415                                                                      TGCCCGCCTAACCTGCACAAGCTGGACGGTTACTACTGTGACCATGAG1296                           CysProProAsnLeuHisLysLeuAspGlyTyrTyrCysAspHisGlu                               420425430                                                                      CAGGGCCGCTGCTACGGAGGTCGCTGCAAAACCCGGGACCGGCAGTGC1344                           GlnGlyArgCysTyrGlyGlyArgCysLysThrArgAspArgGlnCys                               435440445                                                                      CAGGTTCTTTGGGGCCATGCGGCTGCTGATCGCTTCTGCTACGAGAAG1392                           GlnValLeuTrpGlyHisAlaAlaAlaAspArgPheCysTyrGluLys                               450455460                                                                      CTGAATGTGGAGGGGACGGAGCGTGGGAGCTGTGGGCGCAAGGGATCC1440                           LeuAsnValGluGlyThrGluArgGlySerCysGlyArgLysGlySer                               465470475480                                                                   GGCTGGGTCCAGTGCAGTAAGCAG1464                                                   GlyTrpValGlnCysSerLysGln                                                       485                                                                            (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 6:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 2923 base pairs                                                    (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: double                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA to mRNA                                               (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:                                                          (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens                                                     (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                        (A) LIBRARY: human fetal brain cDNA library                                    (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: 5'UTR                                                            (B) LOCATION: 1..27                                                            (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: 3'UTR                                                            (B) LOCATION: 1600..2923                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: CDS                                                              (B) LOCATION: 28..1599                                                         (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 6:                                       GCGTTTACTGGCAAACCGCATTTGTAAATGTGCTGGCTGAGCCACCAACTC51                          MetCysTrpLeuSerHisGlnLeu                                                       15                                                                             CTCTCCTCGCAATACGTGGAGCGCCACTTCAGCCGGGAGGGGACAACC99                             LeuSerSerGlnTyrValGluArgHisPheSerArgGluGlyThrThr                               101520                                                                         CAGCACAGCACCGGGGCTGGAGACCACTGCTACTACCAGGGGAAGCTC147                            GlnHisSerThrGlyAlaGlyAsphisCysTyrTyrGlnGlyLysLeu                               25303540                                                                       CGGGGGAACCCGCACTCCTTCGCCGCCCTCTCCACCTGCCAGGGGCTG195                            ArgGlyAsnProHisSerPheAlaAlaLeuSerThrCysGlnGlyLeu                               455055                                                                         CATGGGGTCTTCTCTGATGGGAACTTGACTTACATCGTGGAGCCCCAA243                            HisGlyValPheSerAspGlyAsnLeuThrTyrIleValGluProGln                               606570                                                                         GAGGTGGCTGGACCTTGGGGAGCCCCTCAGGGACCCCTTCCCCACCTC291                            GluValAlaGlyProTrpGlyAlaProGlnGlyProLeuProHisLeu                               758085                                                                         ATTTACCGGACCCCTCTCCTCCCAGATCCCCTCGGATGCAGGGAACCA339                            IleTyrArgThrProLeuLeuProAspProLeuGlyCysArgGluPro                               9095100                                                                        GGCTGCCTGTTTGCTGTGCCTGCCCAGTCGGCTCCTCCAAACCGGCCG387                            GlyCysLeuPheAlaValProAlaGlnSerAlaProProAsnArgPro                               105110115120                                                                   AGGCTGAGAAGGAAAAGGCAGGTCCGCCGGGGCCACCCTACAGTGCAC435                            ArgLeuArgArgLysArgGlnValArgArgGlyHisProThrValHis                               125130135                                                                      AGTGAAACCAAGTATGTGGAGCTAATTGTGATCAACGACCACCAGCTG483                            SerGluThrLysTyrValGluLeuIleValIleAsnAspHisGlnLeu                               140145150                                                                      TTCGAGCAGATGCGACAGTCGGTGGTCCTCACCAGCAACTTTGCCAAG531                            PheGluGlnMetArgGlnSerValValLeuThrSerAsnPheAlaLys                               155160165                                                                      TCCGTGGTGAACCTGGCCGATGTGATATACAAGGAGCAGCTCAACACT579                            SerValValAsnLeuAlaAspValIleTyrLysGluGlnLeuAsnThr                               170175180                                                                      CGCATCGTCCTGGTTGCCATGGAAACATGGGCAGATGGGGACAAGATC627                            ArgIleValLeuValAlaMetGluThrTrpAlaAspGlyAspLysIle                               185190195200                                                                   CAGGTGCAGGATGACCTCCTGGAGACCCTGGCCCGGCTCATGGTCTAC675                            GlnValGlnAspAspLeuLeuGluThrLeuAlaArgLeuMetValTyr                               205210215                                                                      CGACGGGAGGGTCTGCCTGAGCCCAGTAATGCCACCCACCTCTTCTCG723                            ArgArgGluGlyLeuProGluProSerAsnAlaThrHisLeuPheSer                               220225230                                                                      GGCAGGACCTTCCAGAGCACGAGCAGCGGGGCAGCCTACGTGGGGGGC771                            GlyArgThrPheGlnSerThrSerSerGlyAlaAlaTyrValGlyGly                               235240245                                                                      ATATGCTCCCTGTCCCATGGCGGGGGTGTGAACGAGTACGGCAACATG819                            IleCysSerLeuSerHisGlyGlyGlyValAsnGluTyrGlyAsnMet                               250255260                                                                      GGGGCGATGGCCGTGACCCTTGCCCAGACGCTGGGACAGAACCTGGGC867                            GlyAlaMetAlaValThrLeuAlaGlnThrLeuGlyGlnAsnLeuGly                               265270275280                                                                   ATGATGTGGAACAAACACCGGAGCTCGGCAGGGGACTGCAAGTGTCCA915                            MetMetTrpAsnLysHisArgSerSerAlaGlyAspCysLysCysPro                               285290295                                                                      GACATCTGGCTGGGCTGCATCATGGAGGACACTGGGTTCTACCTGCCC963                            AspIleTrpLeuGlyCysIleMetGluAspThrGlyPheTyrLeuPro                               300305310                                                                      CGCAAGTTCTCTCGCTGCAGCATCGACGAGTACAACCAGTTTCTGCAG1011                           ArgLysPheSerArgCysSerIleAspGluTyrAsnGlnPheLeuGln                               315320325                                                                      GAGGGTGGTGGCAGCTGCCTCTTCAACAAGCCCCTCAAGCTCCTGGAC1059                           GluGlyGlyGlySerCysLeuPheAsnLysProLeuLysLeuLeuAsp                               330335340                                                                      CCCCCAGAGTGCGGGAACGGCTTCGTGGAGGCAGGGGAGGAGTGCGAC1107                           ProProGluCysGlyAsnGlyPheValGluAlaGlyGluGluCysAsp                               345350355360                                                                   TGCGGCTCGGTGCAGGAGTGCAGCCGCGCAGGTGGCAACTGCTGCAAG1155                           CysGlySerValGlnGluCysSerArgAlaGlyGlyAsnCysCysLys                               365370375                                                                      AAATGCACCCTGACTCACGACGCCATGTGCAGCGACGGGCTCTGCTGT1203                           LysCysThrLeuThrHisAspAlaMetCysSerAspGlyLeuCysCys                               380385390                                                                      CGCCGCTGCAAGTACGAACCACGGGGTGTGTCCTGCCGAGAGGCCGTG1251                           ArgArgCysLysTyrGluProArgGlyValSerCysArgGluAlaVal                               395400405                                                                      AACGAGTGCGACATCGCGGAGACCTGCACCGGGGACTCTAGCCAGTGC1299                           AsnGluCysAspIleAlaGluThrCysThrGlyAspSerSerGlnCys                               410415420                                                                      CCGCCTAACCTGCACAAGCTGGACGGTTACTACTGTGACCATGAGCAG1347                           ProProAsnLeuHisLysLeuAspGlyTyrTyrCysAspHisGluGln                               425430435440                                                                   GGCCGCTGCTACGGAGGTCGCTGCAAAACCCGGGACCGGCAGTGCCAG1395                           GlyArgCysTyrGlyGlyArgCysLysThrArgAspArgGlnCysGln                               445450455                                                                      GTTCTTTGGGGCCATGCGGCTGCTGATCGCTTCTGCTACGAGAAGCTG1443                           ValLeuTrpGlyHisAlaAlaAlaAspArgPheCysTyrGluLysLeu                               460465470                                                                      AATGTGGAGGGGACGGAGCGTGGGAGCTGTGGGCGCAAGGGATCCGGC1491                           AsnValGluGlyThrGluArgGlySerCysGlyArgLysGlySerGly                               475480485                                                                      TGGGTCCAGTGCAGTAAGCAGCCCCAACAGGGACGTGCTGTGTGGCTT1539                           TrpValGlnCysSerLysGlnProGlnGlnGlyArgAlaValTrpLeu                               490495500                                                                      CCTCCTCTGTGTCAACATCTCTGGAGCTCCTCGGCTAGGGGACCTGGT1587                           ProProLeuCysGlnHisLeuTrpSerSerSerAlaArgGlyProGly                               505510515520                                                                   GGGAGACATCAGTAGTGTCACCTTCTACCACCAGGGCAAGGAGCTGGACTGC1639                       GlyArgHisGln                                                                   524                                                                            AGGGGAGGCCACGTGCAGCTGGCGGACGGCTCTGACCTGAGCTATGTGGAGGATGGCACA1699               GCCTGCGGGCCTAACATGTTGTGCCTGGACCATCGCTGCCTGCCAGCTTCTGCCTTCAAC1759               TTCAGCACCTGCCCCGGCAGTGGGGAGCGCCGGATTTGCTCCCACCACGGGGTCTGCAGC1819               AATGAAGGGAAGTGCATCTGTCAGCCAGACTGGACAGGCAAAGACTGCAGTATCCATAAC1879               CCCCTGCCCACGTCCCCACCCACGGGGGAGACGGAGAGATATAAAGGTCCCAGCGGCACC1939               AACATCATCATTGGCTCCATCGCTGGGGCTGTCCTGGTTGCAGCCATCGTCCTGGGCGGC1999               ACGGGCTGGGGATTTAAAAACATTCGCCGAGGAAGGTCCGGAGGGGCCTAAGTGCCACCC2059               TCCTCCCTCCAAGCCTGGCACCCACCGTCTCGGCCCTGAACCACGAGGCTGCCCCCATCC2119               AGCCACGGAGGGAGGCACCATGCAAATGTCTTCCAGGTCCAAACCCTTCAACTCCTGGCT2179               CCGCAGGGGTTTGGGTGGGGGCTGTGGCCCTGCCCTTGGCACCACCAGGGTGGACCAGGC2239               CTGGAGGGCACTTCCTCCACAGTCCCCCACCCACCTCCTGCGGCTCAGCCTTGCACACCC2299               ACTGCCCCGTGTGAATGTAGCTTCCACCTCATGGATTGCCACAGCTCAACTCGGGGGCAC2359               CTGGAGGGATGCCCCCAGGCAGCCACCAGTGGACCTAGCCTGGATGGCCCCTCCTTGCAA2419               CCAGGCAGCTGAGACCAGGGTCTTATCTCTCTGGGACCTAGGGGGACGGGGCTGACATCT2479               ACATTTTTTAAAACTGAATCTTAATCGATGAATGTAAACTCGGGGGTGCTGGGGCCAGGG2539               CAGATGTGGGGATGTTTTGACATTTACAGGAGGCCCCGGAGAAACTGAGGTATGGCCATG2599               CCCTAGACCCTCCCCAAGGATGACCACACCCGAAGTCCTGTCACTGAGCACAGTCAGGGG2659               CTGGGCATCCCAGCTTGCCCCCGCTTAGCCCCGCTGAGCTTGGAGGAAGTATGAGTGCTG2719               ATTCAAACCAAAGCTGCCTGTGCCATGCCCAAGGCCTAGGTTATGGGTACGGCAACCACA2779               TGTCCCAGATCGTCTCCAATTCGAAAACAACCGTCCTGCTGTCCCTGTCAGGACACATGG2839               ATTTTGGCAGGGCGGGGGGGGGTTCTAGAAAATATAGGTTCCTATAATAAAATGGCACCT2899               TCCCCCTTTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA2923                                                   (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 7:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 2913 base pairs                                                    (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: double                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA to mRNA                                               (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:                                                          (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens                                                     (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                        (A) LIBRARY: human fetal brain cDNA library                                    (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: 5'UTR                                                            (B) LOCATION: 1..27                                                            (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: 3'UTR                                                            (B) LOCATION: 2038..2913                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: CDS                                                              (B) LOCATION: 28..2037                                                         (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 7:                                       GCGTTTACTGGCAAACCGCATTTGTAAATGTGCTGGCTGAGCCACCAACTC51                          MetCysTrpLeuSerHisGlnLeu                                                       15                                                                             CTCTCCTCGCAATACGTGGAGCGCCACTTCAGCCGGGAGGGGACAACC99                             LeuSerSerGlnTyrValGluArgHisPheSerArgGluGlyThrThr                               101520                                                                         CAGCACAGCACCGGGGCTGGAGACCACTGCTACTACCAGGGGAAGCTC147                            GlnHisSerThrGlyAlaGlyAspHisCysTyrTyrGlnGlyLysLeu                               25303540                                                                       CGGGGGAACCCGCACTCCTTCGCCGCCCTCTCCACCTGCCAGGGGCTG195                            ArgGlyAsnProHisSerPheAlaAlaLeuSerThrCysGlnGlyLeu                               455055                                                                         CATGGGGTCTTCTCTGATGGGAACTTGACTTACATCGTGGAGCCCCAA243                            HisGlyValPheSerAspGlyAsnLeuThrTyrIleValGluProGln                               606570                                                                         GAGGTGGCTGGACCTTGGGGAGCCCCTCAGGGACCCCTTCCCCACCTC291                            GluValAlaGlyProTrpGlyAlaProGlnGlyProLeuProHisLeu                               758085                                                                         ATTTACCGGACCCCTCTCCTCCCAGATCCCCTCGGATGCAGGGAACCA339                            IleTyrArgThrProLeuLeuProAspProLeuGlyCysArgGluPro                               9095100                                                                        GGCTGCCTGTTTGCTGTGCCTGCCCAGTCGGCTCCTCCAAACCGGCCG387                            GlyCysLeuPheAlaValProAlaGlnSerAlaProProAsnArgPro                               105110115120                                                                   AGGCTGAGAAGGAAAAGGCAGGTCCGCCGGGGCCACCCTACAGTGCAC435                            ArgLeuArgArgLysArgGlnValArgArgGlyHisProThrValHis                               125130135                                                                      AGTGAAACCAAGTATGTGGAGCTAATTGTGATCAACGACCACCAGCTG483                            SerGluThrLysTyrValGluLeuIleValIleAsnAspHisGlnLeu                               140145150                                                                      TTCGAGCAGATGCGACAGTCGGTGGTCCTCACCAGCAACTTTGCCAAG531                            PheGluGlnMetArgGlnSerValValLeuThrSerAsnPheAlaLys                               155160165                                                                      TCCGTGGTGAACCTGGCCGATGTGATATACAAGGAGCAGCTCAACACT579                            SerValValAsnLeuAlaAspValIleTyrLysGluGlnLeuAsnThr                               170175180                                                                      CGCATCGTCCTGGTTGCCATGGAAACATGGGCAGATGGGGACAAGATC627                            ArgIleValLeuValAlaMetGluThrTrpAlaAspGlyAspLysIle                               185190195200                                                                   CAGGTGCAGGATGACCTCCTGGAGACCCTGGCCCGGCTCATGGTCTAC675                            GlnValGlnAspAspLeuLeuGluThrLeuAlaArgLeuMetValTyr                               205210215                                                                      CGACGGGAGGGTCTGCCTGAGCCCAGTAATGCCACCCACCTCTTCTCG723                            ArgArgGluGlyLeuProGluProSerAsnAlaThrHisLeuPheSer                               220225230                                                                      GGCAGGACCTTCCAGAGCACGAGCAGCGGGGCAGCCTACGTGGGGGGC771                            GlyArgThrPheGlnSerThrSerSerGlyAlaAlaTyrValGlyGly                               235240245                                                                      ATATGCTCCCTGTCCCATGGCGGGGGTGTGAACGAGTACGGCAACATG819                            IleCysSerLeuSerHisGlyGlyGlyValAsnGluTyrGlyAsnMet                               250255260                                                                      GGGGCGATGGCCGTGACCCTTGCCCAGACGCTGGGACAGAACCTGGGC867                            GlyAlaMetAlaValThrLeuAlaGlnThrLeuGlyGlnAsnLeuGly                               265270275280                                                                   ATGATGTGGAACAAACACCGGAGCTCGGCAGGGGACTGCAAGTGTCCA915                            MetMetTrpAsnLysHisArgSerSerAlaGlyAspCysLysCysPro                               285290295                                                                      GACATCTGGCTGGGCTGCATCATGGAGGACACTGGGTTCTACCTGCCC963                            AspIleTrpLeuGlyCysIleMetGluAspThrGlyPheTyrLeuPro                               300305310                                                                      CGCAAGTTCTCTCGCTGCAGCATCGACGAGTACAACCAGTTTCTGCAG1011                           ArgLysPheSerArgCysSerIleAspGluTyrAsnGlnPheLeuGln                               315320325                                                                      GAGGGTGGTGGCAGCTGCCTCTTCAACAAGCCCCTCAAGCTCCTGGAC1059                           GluGlyGlyGlySerCysLeuPheAsnLysProLeuLysLeuLeuAsp                               330335340                                                                      CCCCCAGAGTGCGGGAACGGCTTCGTGGAGGCAGGGGAGGAGTGCGAC1107                           ProProGluCysGlyAsnGlyPheValGluAlaGlyGluGluCysAsp                               345350355360                                                                   TGCGGCTCGGTGCAGGAGTGCAGCCGCGCAGGTGGCAACTGCTGCAAG1155                           CysGlySerValGlnGluCysSerArgAlaGlyGlyAsnCysCysLys                               365370375                                                                      AAATGCACCCTGACTCACGACGCCATGTGCAGCGACGGGCTCTGCTGT1203                           LysCysThrLeuThrHisAspAlaMetCysSerAspGlyLeuCysCys                               380385390                                                                      CGCCGCTGCAAGTACGAACCACGGGGTGTGTCCTGCCGAGAGGCCGTG1251                           ArgArgCysLysTyrGluProArgGlyValSerCysArgGluAlaVal                               395400405                                                                      AACGAGTGCGACATCGCGGAGACCTGCACCGGGGACTCTAGCCAGTGC1299                           AsnGluCysAspIleAlaGluThrCysThrGlyAspSerSerGlnCys                               410415420                                                                      CCGCCTAACCTGCACAAGCTGGACGGTTACTACTGTGACCATGAGCAG1347                           ProProAsnLeuHisLysLeuAspGlyTyrTyrCysAspHisGluGln                               425430435440                                                                   GGCCGCTGCTACGGAGGTCGCTGCAAAACCCGGGACCGGCAGTGCCAG1395                           GlyArgCysTyrGlyGlyArgCysLysThrArgAspArgGlnCysGln                               445450455                                                                      GTTCTTTGGGGCCATGCGGCTGCTGATCGCTTCTGCTACGAGAAGCTG1443                           ValLeuTrpGlyHisAlaAlaAlaAspArgPheCysTyrGluLysLeu                               460465470                                                                      AATGTGGAGGGGACGGAGCGTGGGAGCTGTGGGCGCAAGGGATCCGGC1491                           AsnValGluGlyThrGluArgGlySerCysGlyArgLysGlySerGly                               475480485                                                                      TGGGTCCAGTGCAGTAAGCAGGACGTGCTGTGTGGCTTCCTCCTCTGT1539                           TrpValGlnCysSerLysGlnAspValLeuCysGlyPheLeuLeuCys                               490495500                                                                      GTCAACATCTCTGGAGCTCCTCGGCTAGGGGACCTGGTGGGAGACATC1587                           ValAsnIleSerGlyAlaProArgLeuGlyAspLeuValGlyAspIle                               505510515520                                                                   AGTAGTGTCACCTTCTACCACCAGGGCAAGGAGCTGGACTGCAGGGGA1635                           SerSerValThrPheTyrHisGlnGlyLysGluLeuAspCysArgGly                               525530535                                                                      GGCCACGTGCAGCTGGCGGACGGCTCTGACCTGAGCTATGTGGAGGAT1683                           GlyHisValGlnLeuAlaAspGlySerAspLeuSerTyrValGluAsp                               540545550                                                                      GGCACAGCCTGCGGGCCTAACATGTTGTGCCTGGACCATCGCTGCCTG1731                           GlyThrAlaCysGlyProAsnMetLeuCysLeuAspHisArgCysLeu                               555560565                                                                      CCAGCTTCTGCCTTCAACTTCAGCACCTGCCCCGGCAGTGGGGAGCGC1779                           ProAlaSerAlaPheAsnPheSerThrCysProGlySerGlyGluArg                               570575580                                                                      CGGATTTGCTCCCACCACGGGGTCTGCAGCAATGAAGGGAAGTGCATC1827                           ArgIleCysSerHisHisGlyValCysSerAsnGluGlyLysCysIle                               585590595600                                                                   TGTCAGCCAGACTGGACAGGCAAAGACTGCAGTATCCATAACCCCCTG1875                           CysGlnProAspTrpThrGlyLysAspCysSerIleHisAsnProLeu                               605610615                                                                      CCCACGTCCCCACCCACGGGGGAGACGGAGAGATATAAAGGTCCCAGC1923                           ProThrSerProProThrGlyGluThrGluArgTyrLysGlyProSer                               620625630                                                                      GGCACCAACATCATCATTGGCTCCATCGCTGGGGCTGTCCTGGTTGCA1971                           GlyThrAsnIleIleIleGlySerIleAlaGlyAlaValLeuValAla                               635640645                                                                      GCCTACGTCCTGGGCGGCACGGGCTGGGGATTTAAAAACATTCGCCGA2019                           AlaIleValLeuGlyGlyThrGlyTrpGlyPheLysAsnIleArgArg                               650655660                                                                      GGAAGGTCCGGAGGGGCCTAAGTGCCACCCTCCTCCCTCCAAGCCTGG2067                           GlyArgSerGlyGlyAla                                                             665670                                                                         CACCCACCGTCTCGGCCCTGAACCACGAGGCTGCCCCCATCCAGCCACGGAGGGAGGCAC2127               CATGCAAATGTCTTCCAGGTCCAAACCCTTCAACTCCTGGCTCCGCAGGGGTTTGGGTGG2187               GGGCTGTGGCCCTGCCCTTGGCACCACCAGGGTGGACCAGGCCTGGAGGGCACTTCCTCC2247               ACAGTCCCCCACCCACCTCCTGCGGCTCAGCCTTGCACACCCACTGCCCCGTGTGAATGT2307               AGCTTCCACCTCATGGATTGCCACAGCTCAACTCGGGGGCACCTGGAGGGATGCCCCCAG2367               GCAGCCACCAGTGGACCTAGCCTGGATGGCCCCTCCTTGCAACCAGGCAGCTGAGACCAG2427               GGTCTTATCTCTCTGGGACCTAGGGGGACGGGGCTGACATCTACATTTTTTAAAACTGAA2487               TCTTAATCGATGAATGTAAACTCGGGGGTGCTGGGGCCAGGGCAGATGTGGGGATGTTTT2547               GACATTTACAGGAGGCCCCGGAGAAACTGAGGTATGGCCATGCCCTAGACCCTCCCCAAG2607               GATGACCACACCCGAAGTCCTGTCACTGAGCACAGTCAGGGGCTGGGCATCCCAGCTTGC2667               CCCCGCTTAGCCCCGCTGAGCTTGGAGGAAGTATGAGTGCTGATTCAAACCAAAGCTGCC2727               TGTGCCATGCCCAAGGCCTAGGTTATGGGTACGGCAACCACATGTCCCAGATCGTCTCCA2787               ATTCGAAAACAACCGTCCTGCTGTCCCTGTCAGGACACATGGATTTTGGCAGGGCGGGGG2847               GGGGTTCTAGAAAATATAGGTTCCTATAATAAAATGGCACCTTCCCCCTTTAAAAAAAAA2907               AAAAAA2913                                                                     (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 8:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 3183 base pairs                                                    (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: double                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA to mRNA                                               (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:                                                          (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens                                                     (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                        (A) LIBRARY: human fetal brain cDNA library                                    (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: 3'UTR                                                            (B) LOCATION: 2308..3183                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: CDS                                                              (B) LOCATION: 1..2307                                                          (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 8:                                       ATGAGGCTGCTGCGGCGCTGGGCGTTCGCGGCTCTGCTGCTGTCGCTG48                             MetArgLeuLeuArgArgTrpAlaPheAlaAlaLeuLeuLeuSerLeu                               151015                                                                         CTCCCCACGCCCGGTCTTGGGACCCAAGGTCCTGCTGGAGCTCTGCGA96                             LeuProThrProGlyLeuGlyThrGlnGlyProAlaGlyAlaLeuArg                               202530                                                                         TGGGGGGGCTTACCCCAGCTGGGAGGCCCAGGAGCCCCTGAGGTCACG144                            TrpGlyGlyLeuProGlnLeuGlyGlyProGlyAlaProGluValThr                               354045                                                                         GAACCCAGCCGTCTGGTTAGGGAGAGCTCCGGGGGAGAGGTCCGAAAG192                            GluProSerArgLeuValArgGluSerSerGlyGlyGluValArgLys                               505560                                                                         CAGCAGCTGGACACAAGGGTCCGCCAGGAGCCACCAGGGGGCCCGCCT240                            GlnGlnLeuAspThrArgValArgGlnGluProProGlyGlyProPro                               65707580                                                                       GTCCATCTGGCCCAGGTGAGTTTCGTCATCCCAGCCTTCAACTCAAAC288                            ValHisLeuAlaGlnValSerPheValIleProAlaPheAsnSerAsn                               859095                                                                         TTCACCCTGGACCTGGAGCTGAACCACCACCTCCTCTCCTCGCAATAC336                            PheThrLeuAspLeuGluLeuAsnHisHisLeuLeuSerSerGlnTyr                               100105110                                                                      GTGGAGCGCCACTTCAGCCGGGAGGGGACAACCCAGCACAGCACCGGG384                            ValGluArgHisPheSerArgGluGlyThrThrGlnHisSerThrGly                               115120125                                                                      GCTGGAGACCACTGCTACTACCAGGGGAAGCTCCGGGGGAACCCGCAC432                            AlaGlyAspHisCysTyrTyrGlnGlyLysLeuArgGlyAsnProHis                               130135140                                                                      TCCTTCGCCGCCCTCTCCACCTGCCAGGGGCTGCATGGGGTCTTCTCT480                            SerPheAlaAlaLeuSerThrCysGlnGlyLeuHisGlyValPheSer                               145150155160                                                                   GATGGGAACTTGACTTACATCGTGGAGCCCCAAGAGGTGGCTGGACCT528                            AspGlyAsnLeuThrTyrIleValGluProGlnGluValAlaGlyPro                               165170175                                                                      TGGGGAGCCCCTCAGGGACCCCTTCCCCACCTCATTTACCGGACCCCT576                            TrpGlyAlaProGlnGlyProLeuProHisLeuIleTyrArgThrPro                               180185190                                                                      CTCCTCCCAGATCCCCTCGGATGCAGGGAACCAGGCTGCCTGTTTGCT624                            LeuLeuProAspProLeuGlyCysArgGluProGlyCysLeuPheAla                               195200205                                                                      GTGCCTGCCCAGTCGGCTCCTCCAAACCGGCCGAGGCTGAGAAGGAAA672                            ValProAlaGlnSerAlaProProAsnArgProArgLeuArgArgLys                               210215220                                                                      AGGCAGGTCCGCCGGGGCCACCCTACAGTGCACAGTGAAACCAAGTAT720                            ArgGlnValArgArgGlyHisProThrValHisSerGluThrLysTyr                               225230235240                                                                   GTGGAGCTAATTGTGATCAACGACCACCAGCTGTTCGAGCAGATGCGA768                            ValGluLeuIleValIleAsnAspHisGlnLeuPheGluGlnMetArg                               245250255                                                                      CAGTCGGTGGTCCTCACCAGCAACTTTGCCAAGTCCGTGGTGAACCTG816                            GlnSerValValLeuThrSerAsnPheAlaLysSerValValAsnLeu                               260265270                                                                      GCCGATGTGATATACAAGGAGCAGCTCAACACTCGCATCGTCCTGGTT864                            AlaAspValIleTyrLysGluGlnLeuAsnThrArgIleValLeuVal                               275280285                                                                      GCCATGGAAACATGGGCAGATGGGGACAAGATCCAGGTGCAGGATGAC912                            AlaMetGluThrTrpAlaAspGlyAspLysIleGlnValGlnAspAsp                               290295300                                                                      CTCCTGGAGACCCTGGCCCGGCTCATGGTCTACCGACGGGAGGGTCTG960                            LeuLeuGluThrLeuAlaArgLeuMetValTyrArgArgGluGlyLeu                               305310315320                                                                   CCTGAGCCCAGTAATGCCACCCACCTCTTCTCGGGCAGGACCTTCCAG1008                           ProGluProSerAsnAlaThrHisLeuPheSerGlyArgThrPheGln                               325330335                                                                      AGCACGAGCAGCGGGGCAGCCTACGTGGGGGGCATATGCTCCCTGTCC1056                           SerThrSerSerGlyAlaAlaTyrValGlyGlyIleCysSerLeuSer                               340345350                                                                      CATGGCGGGGGTGTGAACGAGTACGGCAACATGGGGGCGATGGCCGTG1104                           HisGlyGlyGlyValAsnGluTyrGlyAsnMetGlyAlaMetAlaVal                               355360365                                                                      ACCCTTGCCCAGACGCTGGGACAGAACCTGGGCATGATGTGGAACAAA1152                           ThrLeuAlaGlnThrLeuGlyGlnAsnLeuGlyMetMetTrpAsnLys                               370375380                                                                      CACCGGAGCTCGGCAGGGGACTGCAAGTGTCCAGACATCTGGCTGGGC1200                           HisArgSerSerAlaGlyAspCysLysCysProAspIleTrpLeuGly                               385390395400                                                                   TGCATCATGGAGGACACTGGGTTCTACCTGCCCCGCAAGTTCTCTCGC1248                           CysIleMetGluAspThrGlyPheTyrLeuProArgLysPheSerArg                               405410415                                                                      TGCAGCATCGACGAGTACAACCAGTTTCTGCAGGAGGGTGGTGGCAGC1296                           CysSerIleAspGluTyrAsnGlnPheLeuGlnGluGlyGlyGlySer                               420425430                                                                      TGCCTCTTCAACAAGCCCCTCAAGCTCCTGGACCCCCCAGAGTGCGGG1344                           CysLeuPheAsnLysProLeuLysLeuLeuAspProProGluCysGly                               435440445                                                                      AACGGCTTCGTGGAGGCAGGGGAGGAGTGCGACTGCGGCTCGGTGCAG1392                           AsnGlyPheValGluAlaGlyGluGluCysAspCysGlySerValGln                               450455460                                                                      GAGTGCAGCCGCGCAGGTGGCAACTGCTGCAAGAAATGCACCCTGACT1440                           GluCysSerArgAlaGlyGlyAsnCysCysLysLysCysThrLeuThr                               465470475480                                                                   CACGACGCCATGTGCAGCGACGGGCTCTGCTGTCGCCGCTGCAAGTAC1488                           HisAspAlaMetCysSerAspGlyLeuCysCysArgArgCysLysTyr                               485490495                                                                      GAACCACGGGGTGTGTCCTGCCGAGAGGCCGTGAACGAGTGCGACATC1536                           GluProArgGlyValSerCysArgGluAlaValAsnGluCysAspIle                               500505510                                                                      GCGGAGACCTGCACCGGGGACTCTAGCCAGTGCCCGCCTAACCTGCAC1584                           AlaGluThrCysThrGlyAspSerSerGlnCysProProAsnLeuHis                               515520525                                                                      AAGCTGGACGGTTACTACTGTGACCATGAGCAGGGCCGCTGCTACGGA1632                           LysLeuAspGlyTyrTyrCysAspHisGluGlnGlyArgCysTyrGly                               530535540                                                                      GGTCGCTGCAAAACCCGGGACCGGCAGTGCCAGGTTCTTTGGGGCCAT1680                           GlyArgCysLysThrArgAspArgGlnCysGlnValLeuTrpGlyHis                               545550555560                                                                   GCGGCTGCTGATCGCTTCTGCTACGAGAAGCTGAATGTGGAGGGGACG1728                           AlaAlaAlaAspArgPheCysTyrGluLysLeuAsnValGluGlyThr                               565570575                                                                      GAGCGTGGGAGCTGTGGGCGCAAGGGATCCGGCTGGGTCCAGTGCAGT1776                           GluArgGlySerCysGlyArgLysGlySerGlyTrpValGlnCysSer                               580585590                                                                      AAGCAGGACGTGCTGTGTGGCTTCCTCCTCTGTGTCAACATCTCTGGA1824                           LysGlnAspValLeuCysGlyPheLeuLeuCysValAsnIleSerGly                               595600605                                                                      GCTCCTCGGCTAGGGGACCTGGTGGGAGACATCAGTAGTGTCACCTTC1872                           AlaProArgLeuGlyAspLeuValGlyAspIleSerSerValThrPhe                               610615620                                                                      TACCACCAGGGCAAGGAGCTGGACTGCAGGGGAGGCCACGTGCAGCTG1920                           TyrHisGlnGlyLysGluLeuAspCysArgGlyGlyHisValGlnLeu                               625630635640                                                                   GCGGACGGCTCTGACCTGAGCTATGTGGAGGATGGCACAGCCTGCGGG1968                           AlaAspGlySerAspLeuSerTyrValGluAspGlyThrAlaCysGly                               645650655                                                                      CCTAACATGTTGTGCCTGGACCATCGCTGCCTGCCAGCTTCTGCCTTC2016                           ProAsnMetLeuCysLeuAspHisArgCysLeuProAlaSerAlaPhe                               660665670                                                                      AACTTCAGCACCTGCCCCGGCAGTGGGGAGCGCCGGATTTGCTCCCAC2064                           AsnPheSerThrCysProGlySerGlyGluArgArgIleCysSerHis                               675680685                                                                      CACGGGGTCTGCAGCAATGAAGGGAAGTGCATCTGTCAGCCAGACTGG2112                           HisGlyValCysSerAsnGluGlyLysCysIleCysGlnProAspTrp                               690695700                                                                      ACAGGCAAAGACTGCAGTATCCATAACCCCCTGCCCACGTCCCCACCC2160                           ThrGlyLysAspCysSerIleHisAsnProLeuProThrSerProPro                               705710715720                                                                   ACGGGGGAGACGGAGAGATATAAAGGTCCCAGCGGCACCAACATCATC2208                           ThrGlyGluThrGluArgTyrLysGlyProSerGlyThrAsnIleIle                               725730735                                                                      ATTGGCTCCATCGCTGGGGCTGTCCTGGTTGCAGCCATCGTCCTGGGC2256                           IleGlySerIleAlaGlyAlaValLeuValAlaAlaIleValLeuGly                               740745750                                                                      GGCACGGGCTGGGGATTTAAAAACATTCGCCGAGGAAGGTCCGGAGGG2304                           GlyThrGlyTrpGlyPheLysAsnIleArgArgGlyArgSerGlyGly                               755760765                                                                      GCCTAAGTGCCACCCTCCTCCCTCCAAGCCTGGCACCCACCGTCTCGGCCCTG2357                      Ala                                                                            769                                                                            AACCACGAGGCTGCCCCCATCCAGCCACGGAGGGAGGCACCATGCAAATGTCTTCCAGGT2417               CCAAACCCTTCAACTCCTGGCTCCGCAGGGGTTTGGGTGGGGGCTGTGGCCCTGCCCTTG2477               GCACCACCAGGGTGGACCAGGCCTGGAGGGCACTTCCTCCACAGTCCCCCACCCACCTCC2537               TGCGGCTCAGCCTTGCACACCCACTGCCCCGTGTGAATGTAGCTTCCACCTCATGGATTG2597               CCACAGCTCAACTCGGGGGCACCTGGAGGGATGCCCCCAGGCAGCCACCAGTGGACCTAG2657               CCTGGATGGCCCCTCCTTGCAACCAGGCAGCTGAGACCAGGGTCTTATCTCTCTGGGACC2717               TAGGGGGACGGGGCTGACATCTACATTTTTTAAAACTGAATCTTAATCGATGAATGTAAA2777               CTCGGGGGTGCTGGGGCCAGGGCAGATGTGGGGATGTTTTGACATTTACAGGAGGCCCCG2837               GAGAAACTGAGGTATGGCCATGCCCTAGACCCTCCCCAAGGATGACCACACCCGAAGTCC2897               TGTCACTGAGCACAGTCAGGGGCTGGGCATCCCAGCTTGCCCCCGCTTAGCCCCGCTGAG2957               CTTGGAGGAAGTATGAGTGCTGATTCAAACCAAAGCTGCCTGTGCCATGCCCAAGGCCTA3017               GGTTATGGGTACGGCAACCACATGTCCCAGATCGTCTCCAATTCGAAAACAACCGTCCTG3077               CTGTCCCTGTCAGGACACATGGATTTTGGCAGGGCGGGGGGGGGTTCTAGAAAATATAGG3137               TTCCTATAATAAAATGGCACCTTCCCCCTTTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA3183                             (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 9:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 9278 base pairs                                                    (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: double                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                                (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:                                                          (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens                                                     (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE:                                                        (A) LIBRARY: human DNA cosmid library                                          (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 1                                                           (B) LOCATION: 28..44                                                           (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 2                                                           (B) LOCATION: 308..374                                                         (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 3                                                           (B) LOCATION: 909..994                                                         (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 4                                                           (B) LOCATION: 1081..1156                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 5                                                           (B) LOCATION: 1591..1657                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 6                                                           (B) LOCATION: 1725..1792                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 7                                                           (B) LOCATION: 2182..2256                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 8                                                           (B) LOCATION: 2339..2410                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 9                                                           (B) LOCATION: 2588..2754                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 10                                                          (B) LOCATION: 3248..3332                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 11                                                          (B) LOCATION: 3445..3535                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 12                                                          (B) LOCATION: 3645..3696                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 13                                                          (B) LOCATION: 4014..4113                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 14                                                          (B) LOCATION: 4196..4267                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 15                                                          (B) LOCATION: 4386..4478                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 16                                                          (B) LOCATION: 4920..5000                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 17                                                          (B) LOCATION: 5347..5397                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 18                                                          (B) LOCATION: 5501..5564                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 19                                                          (B) LOCATION: 5767..5866                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 20                                                          (B) LOCATION: 6073..6202                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 21                                                          (B) LOCATION: 6300..6468                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 22                                                          (B) LOCATION: 6557..6671                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 23                                                          (B) LOCATION: 6756..6846                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 24                                                          (B) LOCATION: 7829..7846                                                       (ix) FEATURE:                                                                  (A) NAME/KEY: exon 25                                                          (B) LOCATION: 8165..9038                                                       (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 9:                                       GCGTTTACTGGCAAACCGCATTTGTAAATGTGCTGGCTGAGCCANNNNNNNNNN54                       MetCysTrpLeuSerHis                                                             15                                                                             NNNNCCAGGTGAGTTTCGTCATCCAGCCTTCAACTCAAACTTCACCCTGGACCTGGAGCT114                GAACCAGTGAGNGTGGCCTTGAGCCCAAGAGGAAGGGCAGTGGTGGNNNGGGGGAGACAT174                GGCTAGGGCCTGGCTGCTGGGGGTCTGGGGGTTGGGCCTGGCGAGAGGGGACCTGGGTCC234                TGACCTGAGGCGAGCCTAAAGCCCGACCTCACCTCGCCCGTGACCCCCCTTCCTGCTGCC294                CCCTCTGTCTCAGCCAACTCCTCTCCTCGCAATACGTGGAGCGCCACTTC344                          GlnLeuLeuSerSerGlnTyrValGluArgHisPhe                                           1015                                                                           AGCCGGGAGGGGACAACCCAGCACAGCACCGTGAGTGCCACTGCTGGGGA394                          SerArgGluGlyThrThrGlnHisSerThr                                                 2025                                                                           CCGGGGCCGGGGATGGAAGGGAGGTGCTGTTTCTGTGGTTCTGTGGTCACAGGTGTAGGG454                ACAGGTGGCCACTGGAGATGGGGTCCTGGGCCTGGCCCCTCAGCACCTTCCCTCTCTCCC514                GACCCAGGAGGCTCTGAGGGTGGACAGTGGGCAGCTTAGTGCATAGGGCCCTGAAGTCCC574                CTCACTTGGCCCCAGAGCTCTGACCCCCAGCCAGCCCACGTGGGGCCTACAGGGACACTC634                GTTCCGAGCAGGCTGCCAGGATCCNNNNNNNNNNNNATAGATGACGTGAAGGAGGCCCAG694                AGGTTCCTAACCCCAGAGGGCTAGGAACTTGCCCAGGGTGGCACGGCAAATTAGGAGCAC754                CAGCCATCTAGAAACAGGCTCCAGAGCCCCAGGNATACCCAGGGATNGTGGCCACCTGCA814                CACAGGGCAGCTTCAGTGTCCCCCAAAAAGCCTTGAGGCCCATTGGCTGCCCCCGGCCTC874                ATGCCAGCGTTCTGCTCACTGTTCTGCTCCTTAGGGGGCTGGAGACCACTGCTAC929                     GlyAlaGlyAspHisCysTyr                                                          3035                                                                           TACCAGGGGAAGCTCCGGGGGAACCCGCACTCCTTCGCCGCCCTCTCC977                            TyrGlnGlyLysLeuArgGlyAsnProHisSerPheAlaAlaLeuSer                               404550                                                                         ACCTGCCAGGGGCTGCAGTGAGTATGGGGAGGGGCCGGGCAGCTGGG1024                            ThrCysGlnGlyLeuHis                                                             55                                                                             AGAAGCCTCTGGCCCAGGCCTGGGGACGGAGGGGAGCTGCGCCTCTCTCTCCACAGT1081                  GGGGTCTTCTCTGATGGGAACTTGACTTACATCGTGGAGCCCCAAGAG1129                           GlyValPheSerAspGlyAsnLeuThrTyrIleValGluProGlnGlu                               606570                                                                         GTGGCTGGACCTTGGGGAGCCCCTCAGGTAAGCCCCACACAACCCCT1176                            ValAlaGlyProTrpGlyAlaProGln                                                    7580                                                                           TGCCATCCTCTCTGGTGGCCCTGCCAAGCTTGTCCCAACAGCTGTTGCTGCCACCTCTTC1236               CTCCTCCGGCTCCTCCCTCAGTAACCCCAGCCTCACTGCCCTCTTCAGTGACCCCAGCTC1296               TGGTTCCCTCCCTCCTGTGCCCCAGCTCCCCCTGTGCCCCCAGCTCCAATGTCCCATCTG1356               TCCCATAAGTGACCTCCCATTGGGCTCCAATGTCCTTTGCCCCTGTCTCTCAGGGTGCCC1416               CCAGGTCTTGACCCCGGAATCTGAGCATCTGGGAGATCAGATCCGACATGGGAGCTGTGG1476               CCAGTTCTGGGTCACCCCAGGGTGGGGTGGAGGCGAGGGCTGGATCTGGCCCCCGCCAAG1536               TGGCCTGGAGCAGGCCCAGTTGGCACCCCAAGAACTAATTTCCCCTCATTGCAGGGA1593                  Gly                                                                            CCCCTTCCCCACCTCATTTACCGGACCCCTCTCCTCCCAGATCCCCTC1641                           ProLeuProHisLeuIleTyrArgThrProLeuLeuProAspProLeu                               859095                                                                         GGATGCAGGGAACCAGGTAAGGGAGGGGAGGGGGGGTGGGGAGGGGCCNGGCTGTG1697                   GlyCysArgGluProGly                                                             100                                                                            CCCCCCTCACCTGCCCCTCCCCGACAGGCTGCCTGTTTGCTGTGCCTGCCCAG1750                      CysLeuPheAlaValProAlaGln                                                       105110                                                                         TCGGCTCCTCCAAACCGGCCGAGGCTGAGAAGGAAAAGGCAG1792                                 SerAlaProProAsnArgProArgLeuArgArgLysArgGln                                     115120125                                                                      GTACGGGGGCCCGCACAGACCTCGGGCTGCAGAGACCTCGGGCTGCAGAGAGACCTCGGC1852               CGTGGCCCAGAGCAGGAGGGCACCCTCATCTATGGCTGGGGCGAAGGAAGGCTCAGATGG1912               ATGTGGCTGGGGGCCAGGGACCGTGTCTGGGAGAAGCCCCCACCCCTTCCCTAATGCTGG1972               CATCTACAGAGGCCCCATCCTGGGCAAACCGAGGCTGCCTGCCCTCATTCCAAAGCTGAG2032               GAAGGACAGGACCCTCTGCCAGTGGGGAGCTGGCACTGTCCCTGGCTGGAGTCCAGACCC2092               CCCCATCCCCACCGAGTCTGTTCCTGGCTTGGCCATGAGATCAGTCAGACATGGAAGGGA2152               CTGATTCCAAGTGCCCACCCACCCCCCAGGTCCGCCGGGGCCACCCTACAGTG2205                      ValArgArgGlyHisProThrVal                                                       130135                                                                         CACAGTGAAACCAAGTATGTGGAGCTAATTGTGATCAACGACCACCAG2253                           HisSerGluThrLysTyrValGluLeuIleValIleAsnAspHisGln                               140145150                                                                      CTGGTGAGTGCCAGGGCAGGGACAGGGCGTGACACTGGGAGGCCCCTGAGGAG2306                      Leu                                                                            CCTGGCCCTCCTCCCATTCTTCTCTCTCCCAGTTCGAGCAGATGCGACAGTCG2359                      PheGluGlnMetArgGlnSer                                                          155                                                                            GTGGTCCTCACCAGCAACTTTGCCAAGTCCGTGGTGAACCTGGCCGAT2407                           ValValLeuThrSerAsnPheAlaLysSerValValAsnLeuAlaAsp                               160165170175                                                                   GTGGTAAGCAGCTCTCCCTCCCTCCCTTCCCTCCTCCTCATGCCCCCCCACCC2460                      Val                                                                            CACCACACACATTAGGGGGCACTGTCAGCCCCTGGCTCCCACTTCCTGGAGAGAACAGAC2520               AGGCCCTCCTCCAGCCCTGGCCCCAACACCCACTCCCACCCTCCAGCCCCCCTCATCTTC2580               TCCCCAGATATACAAGGAGCAGCTCAACACTCGCATCGTCCTGGTTGCC2629                          IleTyrLysGluGlnLeuAsnThrArgIleValLeuValAla                                     180185190                                                                      ATGGAAACATGGGCAGATGGGGACAAGATCCAGGTGCAGGATGACCTC2677                           MetGluThrTrpAlaAspGlyAspLysIleGlnValGlnAspAspLeu                               195200205                                                                      CTGGAGACCCTGGCCCGGCTCATGGTCTACCGACGGGAGGGTCTGCCT2725                           LeuGluThrLeuAlaArgLeuMetValTyrArgArgGluGlyLeuPro                               210215220                                                                      GAGCCCAGTAATGCCACCCACCTCTTCTCGTGAGTCCCCCACCCTGCAC2774                          GluProSerAsnAlaThrHisLeuPheSer                                                 225230                                                                         CTCCTGCCAGCCTCTGCTAGTTGCTACAGTGCTTGGGATTACTTAACACCTGCCCTGTGC2834               TGGCTGCTCCTCTCAGAGTCTGGGGACTGGGCTCACCTTGCACCTGCCACCTACCCCCAG2894               CCACATGCAACAGCTGGGCATCATCCCCTGAATCTGAGGTTGATGCCCTTGTCTTAGCCC2954               TGGTGGTCCTCTTCTGCCTCTCACCTCCCCTTAGTTCTGTCTTTCCCTTCAACTGTCCCN3014               NNNNNNNNNNNAGAGTGAAACTCTGTCTCAAAAGAAAAANAAAANAAAAGAAGAAAAAAA3074               AGAACCCAAGGAGCGGGGGAAGGGTCTTGCCTGGGGTCACCAAGGCTGATGTAAAGGGCC3134               AGGCTCACCTCCTGAGGAAGGACTCTAGTGTGAGGGGCTCCCCAAGGCCCCACCACCACC3194               CGGGGAGCCACAGGGGAGGGCAGAAGCCATCCTGACAGCGCACTCCCTTCCAGGGGC3251                  Gly                                                                            AGGACCTTCCAGAGCACGAGCAGCGGGGCAGCCTACGTGGGGGGCATA3299                           ArgThrPheGlnSerThrSerSerGlyAlaAlaTyrValGlyGlyIle                               235240245                                                                      TGCTCCCTGTCCCATGGCGGGGGTGTGAACGAGGTGAGCAGTG3342                                CysSerLeuSerHisGlyGlyGlyValAsnGlu                                              250255260                                                                      GGGGGACATGGCTGGGGTGGCGGCTGAGGGAAAGGGGCTTAGGGGCACGACGTGCCTGNT3402               TGGAAGATGTAGACATCTGTGCCCCATCTTCCCCACCCCCAGTACGGCAACATG3456                     TyrGlyAsnMet                                                                   GGGGCGATGGCCGTGACCCTTGCCCAGACGCTGGGACAGAACCTGGGC3504                           GlyAlaMetAlaValThrLeuAlaGlnThrLeuGlyGlnAsnLeuGly                               265270275280                                                                   ATGATGTGGAACAAACACCGGAGCTCGGCAGGTATCCTCCCCCAGAGGCCC3555                        MetMetTrpAsnLysHisArgSerSerAlaGly                                              285290                                                                         CCGTGTGGCCCAGCAGCTCTGGAACGGGAGGGTGACAGTGGGAGGGGTGGTCCTTGGCCT3615               CCCTCATATCCGCCTGGCTCACCCCTCAGGGGACTGCAAGTGTCCAGACATC3667                       AspCysLysCysProAspIle                                                          295                                                                            TGGCTGGGCTGCATCATGGAGGACACTGGGTGAGTTCTTGGGGACAACC3716                          TrpLeuGlyCysIleMetGluAspThrGly                                                 300305                                                                         GGGGGAAGGTCTTGGGCGAGGGGAGTCTTAGAGCGAGCATTGTTTGGCAGTCTGGACCAG3776               GGGNNNNNNNNNNNNGAACACACCTTCCCTTCCAGGCCGGCTTGCGAGTCCCAGGTTCAA3836               GCGAGGGATGGGAGCGACAAGGGACAAGGCGGAGGATTCTGGTGCAATCCCGGGGCAGAT3896               CCTCCGCCTCCTCGCGATGGTGACGAAGTCCCCCAGTGTACCCCCTCCCCAGCCTTGAGA3956               GGGGTGAGGGTGGGTTGGAGGGGAGCAGCCAGCAGCACCTCCCCTCGCCCTATCCAGG4014                 TTCTACCTGCCCCGCAAGTTCTCTCGCTGCAGCATCGACGAGTACAAC4062                           PheTyrLeuProArgLysPheSerArgCysSerIleAspGluTyrAsn                               310315320                                                                      CAGTTTCTGCAGGAGGGTGGTGGCAGCTGCCTCTTCAACAAGCCCCTC4110                           GlnPheLeuGlnGluGlyGlyGlySerCysLeuPheAsnLysProLeu                               325330335340                                                                   AAGGTACCAGCCCCGCGGCGGGGAGCATGGGAGCGGGCCCTGGGCGGGGTCCG4163                      Lys                                                                            GGCCAGACTCCCGACCTGTCCTCCCGGTCCAGCTCCTGGACCCCCCAGAGTGC4216                      LeuLeuAspProProGluCys                                                          345                                                                            GGGAACGGCTTCGTGGAGGCAGGGGAGGAGTGCGACTGCGGCTCGGTG4264                           GlyAsnGlyPheValGluAlaGlyGluGluCysAspCysGlySerVal                               350355360                                                                      CAGGTGAGCGGTGGTGCGGGCGCCAGGTGGGGAACCGGGATGCGGGGGTGGGC4317                      Gln                                                                            365                                                                            ACCAGGGAGCGTCTGAGTGGGAGGATTAGGGCTCGCCCGCCTCCTTCCCCTCCTCCCGCG4377               TCCCTCAGGAGTGCAGCCGCGCAGGTGGCAACTGCTGCAAGAAATGCACC4427                         GluCysSerArgAlaGlyGlyAsnCysCysLysLysCysThr                                     370375                                                                         CTGACTCACGACGCCATGTGCAGCGACGGGCTCTGCTGTCGCCGCTGC4475                           LeuThrHisAspAlaMetCysSerAspGlyLeuCysCysArgArgCys                               380385390395                                                                   AAGGTAAGCAGGACCGGCCGGGAGGCGGGGCCAGGACGCAGGAGGAGCGATTG4528                      Lys                                                                            GAGGCCTTCATATAAGGGGTGGGAGCTAGGGAGGGAAGCGGAGCCTTCGGGGACGAAGGC4588               CTCTGGGGCAGGGCTTGATGCGAAGACAGCGCCAATGGGAGCAAGGGCGGGCTGAAGGAT4648               GTTGAAGGCNNNNNNNNNNNNNNCGGACGGGAAGCTCCCAGAATCAAGGAGGGCGGGAAG4708               GTGGGCGGGCTTGGGGCGGTGCTGAGTGCGCTGGGAGCGAGGTGGGGAGCGTTCAAGAGG4768               TGGTGGGAGCAGGGAAATAAGAACAGGCCTAAACGGGGCCCTGGGGAGCTGGAGGGCCCG4828               GGGATGTGGGGGTCCAGAGAGCGGGGGGCCTGGGGAGGGCAGGGCCGAGGCATCCATCCT4888               GCCTGACTCGAGGAGCGCGTCTCTTCCCTAGTACGAACCACGGGGTGTGTCC4940                       TyrGluProArgGlyValSer                                                          400                                                                            TGCCGAGAGGCCGTGAACGAGTGCGACATCGCGGAGACCTGCACCGGG4988                           CysArgGluAlaValAsnGluCysAspIleAlaGluThrCysThrGly                               405410415                                                                      GACTCTAGCCAGGTCCGCCCGGCCCCGCCGTCTTGTGGAGCCCTGGGCGAGG5040                       AspSerSerGln                                                                   420                                                                            CAACCCCTACCCTTGTCGATTTGGTTTTCCCGGACGAGTGCTCAGCACTCCCCTCCTCTC5100               CACAGCTGGCATCGACCTTCACTGATCAGACTGTTTTCTTATCTGAGAAAGGGGTTCTTC5160               ATGCTCCTGGCCTTGTTCCTTCAATCATTAAACCAGAATGTATCGTCTGGCTGGTATCCC5220               AGCGCCTGGGCCCGGTGNNNNNNNNNNNTACCCAGATTCCTCCTGGGCAGCCCTCAGCTC5280               CAGTCCTGGGCAGCCCTCAGCCCAGTCCTGGGACTGCTCCGCTCAACCCCACCCCTCTCT5340               CCACAGTGCCCGCCTAACCTGCACAAGCTGGACGGTTACTACTGTGAC5388                           CysProProAsnLeuHisLysLeuAspGlyTyrTyrCysAsp                                     425430435                                                                      CATGAGCAGGTATGATGGCTGCCCCCTGAGCCTGGGATTCAGGGCAGTC5437                          HisGluGln                                                                      440                                                                            TCTTATCTCCACTCTGACCACTCAGCATCTCCATCCCTTGCCTCTTAATTCTTGGACTCT5497               CAGGGCCGCTGCTACGGAGGTCGCTGCAAAACCCGGGACCGGCAGTGC5545                           GlyArgCysTyrGlyGlyArgCysLysThrArgAspArgGlnCys                                  445450455                                                                      CAGGTTCTTTGGGGCCATGGTGAGTCTGCTAGGGCTGGAGTGGGACTCC5594                          GlnValLeuTrpGlyHisAla                                                          460                                                                            GGAGGAGCCCAGAGCTGAGAAGCTGGGGAGAGTGGGTTCCAGCTGAACAGGCCCCCAAGT5654               GTGTAGCTCCCCAGGATCTCAGGGAGCCCAGGCAGAGTGTGGGAGATGCAGGCCTGAGGT5714               CTTGGGGTGGGTCCTGGGGCACGTGGGGTCACTTGGCATCCTCTCCCCACAGCGGCT5771                  Ala                                                                            GCTGATCGCTTCTGCTACGAGAAGCTGAATGTGGAGGGGACGGAGCGT5819                           AlaAspArgPheCysTyrGluLysLeuAsnValGluGlyThrGluArg                               465470475                                                                      GGGAGCTGTGGGCGCAAGGGATCCGGCTGGGTCCAGTGCAGTAAGCA5866                            GlySerCysGlyArgLysGlySerGlyTrpValGlnCysSerLysGln                               480485490495                                                                   GTGAGTACTGAGGCTCCCAGAGGGCCTCTCAGCTCCAGGGCAGGTGTGAGACTTTTCAGA5926               GATGGGGTAGTAGGTTCTCCCAGGAGGAGCCTGTCAGTCCCAATGGGCGGGCACGTGGCA5986               AATGAGGTGGCAGGGTGCAGGGTGAGGGCAGATTAGAGTTCAGTAGTTGAGTCTGAGGTC6046               AAACTTGGGGCTCACTGTCTCTATATGCCCCAACAGGGACGTGCTGTGTGG6097                        ProGlnGlnGlyArgAlaValTrp                                                       500                                                                            CTTCCTCCTCTGTGTCAACATCTCTGGAGCTCCTCGGCTAGGGGACCT6145                           LeuProProLeuCysGlnHisLeuTrpSerSerSerAlaArgGlyPro                               505510515                                                                      GGTGGGAGACATCAGTAGTGTCACCTTCTACCACCAGGGCAAGGAGCTGGACTGC6200                    GlyGlyArgHisGln                                                                520                                                                            AGGTGCTGACCAGCACCAAAACTCAGGGAGGGGACCTGGCAGCTGTGCTGGGGGTTAGAA6260               GATCTGGGGGCTGGAGGCTGGGCTGTGTCACTTCCCCAGGGGAGGCCACGTGCAGCTGGC6320               GGACGGCTCTGACCTGAGCTATGTGGAGGATGGCACAGCCTGCGGGCCTAACATGTTGTG6380               CCTGGACCATCGCTGCCTGCCAGCTTCTGCCTTCAACTTCAGCACCTGCCCCGGCAGTGG6440               GGAGCGCCGGATTTGCTCCCACCACGGGGTGACTGCCTGGAGCCCGGGATGGCGGGAGAA6500               GCTTACAAGAGGGGACAGGCCCCTGCTCACCTCTCCTGGCCCTGCCCTGCCTCTAGGTCT6560               GCAGCAATGAAGGGAAGTGCATCTGTCAGCCAGACTGGACAGGCAAAGACTGCAGTATCC6620               ATAACCCCCTGCCCACGTCCCCACCCACGGGGGAGACGGAGAGATATAAAGGTGAGGCTG6680               GAGCTGGCCGAGGGGGGTCTGTCTGTCCCGCTCTCTATGCCTGTCCTTGCCAGCTAAGCC6740               CTGCCATCCTCCCAGGTCCCAGCGGCACCAACATCATCATTGGCTCCATCGCTGGGGCTG6800               TCCTGGTTGCAGCCATCGTCCTGGGCGGCACGGGCTGGGGATTTAAGTAAGAGACACACA6860               CACCCTGTGCCCCCTGGCATCCTTGAGGGGGGATCAGAATCCCTACTGGTGGAGCTGAGG6920               GGGCCCTCCCTGAAAGCCCAACTGAACCAGAGCTCACACGTCATAGGTCCAAGTAGCCTG6980               CAGGGCTTAACATTTAGAAACTAGGAGATTTTAGGCTAGATGAGGTGCTCACGCCTGTAA7040               TCCCAGCACTTTGGGAGGCCAAGGCAGGCGGATCACCTGAGGTCAGGAATTCAAGACCAG7100               TCTGGCCAACATGGTGAAACCCGTCTCTATTAAAAATACAAAAATTAGCCAGCCATGGTG7160               GTGCACACCTGTAATCCCAGCTACTTGCGAGGCTGAGGCAGAGAATTGCTTGAACCCGGG7220               AGGTGGAGGTTGCAGTGAGCTGAGATCGCACCATTGCACTCCAGCCTTGGGTGACAGAGC7280               AAGACTGCGTCAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGAAAGAAAGAGAGAAAGAAAAG7340               AAAAGAGAAAAGAAATCAGGAGATTTTACACTAGCAATTCGGATTTCCAGCTCTGGAAAC7400               ATGAAAAGGTTGAGCCCCAGCGTGCCTCTAAGCATCCCCAAATAGCCACAGAGTGGAGCT7460               GGGCAGGGGCCACCCAAGCCAGGCATGTGTCCTCCAGTCTCCAGTTCCCACCAGCCTATA7520               CTCCTTTGTGCGTGTCTAAGTTTGGGGTCCTTGTGCCTGGTCTTACCCCCCTTAATGTGC7580               AGAGGGAGGAACCCACGGCCCAAGGTCACATGATTGAGTTAGTAGCAGAGTCAGAGCTGG7640               AACCGGGACGCATTTTTGTGGGTGCCCTGGGTAATTCTCCCTGGCCCTTACATTAGTGTC7700               CAGGCCCCGGGGACCCCGGCCCCGCTCTGGGGCAAGGGGTCGCATGGCAGCCAAAGGCCC7760               CTCCCTGAGAGAAGCAAAAGGTCAGATGTCTCCTTTTCCTCTCCCCTTCCACCATCCTCC7820               CCCTGCAGAAACATTCGCCGAGGAAGGTACGACCCGACCCAGCTGGGGGCAGTGTGATGC7880               CGGCCACGTCATCCCTCCCGCTGTCCTTGTCTCCTCCATCTCATTCGTCACCCGCGTTCT7940               GTTGATGGGGTGCGGGGCCGATCCCACCCTGCGTGCCNNNNNNNNNNNNNATCTGTTTTG8000               TCTTCCATATCACCACTGTCTGACCTCCCGCAGATCCCTTCCCTGGCCAGCCTGTGACTT8060               GCCGCCTGCCTCCAGGGCCCAGAACTGAGCTCCGGGGCCCTGCTGGGGGGCTCTCCCCGA8120               GGCCCCTGCTCACGTCCTCCCCTGATGCCCCCTCTCCGTTCCAGGTCCGGAGGGGCCTAA8180               GTGCCACCCTCCTCCCTCCAAGCCTGGCACCCACCGTCTCGGCCCTGAACCACGAGGCTG8240               CCCCCATCCAGCCACGGAGGGAGGCACCATGCAAATGTCTTCCAGGTCCAAACCCTTCAA8300               CTCCTGGCTCCGCAGGGGTTTGGGTGGGGGCTGTGGCCCTGCCCTTGGCACCACCAGGGT8360               GGACCAGGCCTGGAGGGCACTTCCTCCACAGTCCCCCACCCACCTCCTGCGGCTCAGCCT8420               TGCACACCCACTGCCCCGTGTGAATGTAGCTTCCACCTCATGGATTGCCACAGCTCAACT8480               CGGGGGCACCTGGAGGGATGCCCCCAGGCAGCCACCAGTGGACCTAGCCTGGATGGCCCC8540               TCCTTGCAACCAGGCAGCTGAGACCAGGGTCTTATCTCTCTGGGACCTAGGGGGACGGGG8600               CTGACATCTACATTTTTTAAAACTGAATCTTAATCGATGAATGTAAACTCGGGGGTGCTG8660               GGGCCAGGGCAGATGTGGGGATGTTTTGACATTTACAGGAGGCCCCGGAGAAACTGAGGT8720               ATGGCCATGCCCTAGACCCTCCCCAAGGATGACCACACCCGAAGTCCTGTCACTGAGCAC8780               AGTCAGGGGCTGGGCATCCCAGCTTGCCCCCGCTTAGCCCCGCTGAGCTTGGAGGAAGTA8840               TGAGTGCTGATTCAAACCAAAGCTGCCTGTGCCATGCCCAAGGCCTAGGTTATGGGTACG8900               GCAACCACATGTCCCAGATCGTCTCCAATTCGAAAACAACCGTCCTGCTGTCCCTGTCAG8960               GACACATGGATTTTGGCAGGGCGGGGGGGGGTTCTAGAAAATATAGGTTCCTATAATAAA9020               ATGGCACCTTCCCCCTTTNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGATACCTCTGAATATGGGTATCTGG9080               GGCTGGATATGGGTGGGACATGAGACTTCCTGTGACCAGCCACCCTGGCTCCCAGCTCTC9140               TGTATCCTCCTGCCCCGCCCTGGGGGGTGCCTACCCTGGNAGAACCCAGGGAGGAGTGGA9200               GGCTGCCTCTGCCTGGGCCTCCACACAGCATCCTGACATACGCCACCTGGGGTGGGGGTG9260               GGGAGGCAGGGCCAGGAG9278                                                         (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 10:                                             (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 17 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                                (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 10:                                      GCACCTGCCCCGGCAGT17                                                            (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 11:                                             (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 20 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                                (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 11:                                      CCAGGACAGCCCCAGCGATG20                                                         (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 12:                                             (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 22 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                                (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 12:                                      GGCTGCTGATCGCTTCTGCTAC22                                                       (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 13:                                             (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 20 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                                (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 13:                                      GAGAAGCTGAATGTGGAGGG20                                                         (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 14:                                             (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 19 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                                (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 14:                                      GTCAGAGCCGTCCGCCAGC19                                                          (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 15:                                             (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 22 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                                (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 15:                                      GCCATCCTCCACATAGCTCAGG22                                                       (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 16:                                             (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 26 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                                (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 16:                                      GATGTAAGTCAAGTTCCCATCAGAGA26                                                   (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 17:                                             (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 25 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                                (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 17:                                      AACAGCTGGTGGTCGTTGATCACAA25                                                    (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 18:                                             (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 20 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                                (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 18:                                      ATGAGGCTGCTGCGGCGCTG20                                                         (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 19:                                             (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 27 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                                (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 19:                                      CACAGATCTGGGGGCATATGCTCCCTG27                                                  (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 20:                                             (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 27 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA                                                (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 20:                                      AACAAGCTTCTACTGATGTCTCCCACC27                                                  __________________________________________________________________________ 

We claim:
 1. An antibody that specifically binds to an MDC protein having a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3 and SEQ ID NO:4.
 2. An antibody according to claim 1 wherein the MDC protein has SEQ ID NO:1.
 3. An antibody according to claim 1, wherein the MDC protein has SEQ ID NO:2.
 4. An antibody according to claim 1, wherein the MDC protein has SEQ ID NO:3.
 5. An antibody according to claim 1, wherein the MDC protein has SEQ ID NO:4. 